In fact, it’s a common phenomenon called impostor syndrome.
Symptoms of anxiety and depression often accompany imposter syndrome.
Imposter syndrome is not adiagnosable mental illness.
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Psychologists Suzanna Imes and Pauline Rose Clance first used this term in the 1970s.
The irony is, that people with imposter syndrome are often highly accomplished, impressive individuals.
This is what makes it such a challenging psychological phenomenon that needs to be unpacked.
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The 5 Types of Imposter Syndrome
Based on research byDr.
Originally, the concept of imposter syndrome was thought to apply mostly to high-achieving women.
Since then, it has been recognized as a more widely experienced phenomenon.
What Does Imposter Syndrome Feel Like?
Eventually, anxiety worsens and may lead todepression.
The thought still nags in your head, “What gives me the right to be here?”
The more you accomplish, the more you just feel like a fraud.
It’s as though you might’tinternalizeyour experiences of success.
The thought process is that if you do well, it must be the result of luck.
Family Upbringing
Research suggests that upbringing and family dynamics can play an important role in imposter syndrome.
Specifically,parenting stylescharacterized by being controlling or overprotective may contribute to the development of imposter syndrome in children.
For example, you might have come from a family that highly valued achievement.
Or you may have had parents who flipped back and forth between offering praise and being critical.
New Work or School Opportunities
We also know that entering a new role can trigger impostor syndrome.
For example, starting college might leave you feeling as though you don’t belong and are not capable.
You may also experience the same feelings when starting a new position at work.
Personality
Certain personality traits have also been linked to a higher risk of experiencing imposter syndrome.
People without social anxiety can also feel a lack of confidence and competence.
Imposter Syndrome vs.
Discrimination
Feeling like an outsider isn’t necessarily a result of imposter syndrome.
In some cases, it can occur due to actual discrimination or exclusion due to systemic bias.
With imposter syndrome, the feeling of being an outsider is sparked by internal beliefs.
With discrimination, the feeling is because of the actions of others.
Find out which option is the best for you.
Try instead to turn that feeling into one ofgratitude.
Look at what you have accomplished in your life and be grateful for your achievements.
Don’t be held back by your fear of being found out.
Instead, lean into that feeling and get to its roots.
Let your guard down and allow others to see the real you.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Clance PR, Imes SA.The imposter phenomenon in high achieving women: Dynamics and therapeutic intervention.Group Dyn.
1978;15(3):241-247. doi:10.1037/h0086006
Impostor Syndrome Institute.Rethinking Impostor Syndrome.
1993;30(3):495-501. doi:10.1037/0033-3204.30.3.495
Weir K.Feel like a fraud?American Psychological Association.
Volume 20 Issue 2.
1998;32(5):456-464. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2923.1998.00234.x
