IMPOSTER SYNDROME

Though unjustified, imposter syndrome—also known as the imposter phenomenon, fraud syndrome, and the imposter experience—is a common but unpleasant phenomenon. People who experience it often feel insecure and like fraud when receiving attention or accolades for their abilities and accomplishments. They may feel they are not as smart or adept as other people think they are, and they may feel overwhelmed by self-doubt.

SYMPTOMS

Imposter syndrome comes with mixed feelings, thoughts, and other symptoms.

Common thoughts and feelings include:

• Fearful you will be discovered to be a fraud
• Believing compliments and praise are because the audience is being polite, not because it was earned
• Feeling unworthy of success
• Feeling like it was luck, not talent, that got you where you are
• Feeling anxious or depressed
• Feeling undertrained

Along with these internalized thoughts and feelings, there are external signs you may recognize in yourself or others. These include:

• Minimizing positive feedback
• Overpreparing
• Not trying for fear of failure
• Distrust of others

The phenomenon can appear in many ways and have a major effect on decisions and actions.

Psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes coined the term “imposter syndrome” in 1978. Their study of 150 women showed that women with this syndrome, regardless of evidence of their earned success, lacked internal acknowledgement of their accomplishments.

Causes

Across the board, imposter syndrome is more common when trying something new and feeling pressure to achieve.In the 1978 study of imposter syndrome, Clance and Imes believed that the imposter mentality is developed from factors that include ender sterotypes, early family dynamics, culture, and personality traits.Since that initial study, imposter syndrome has been identified in people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. The list of contributing causes has also grown. The leading causes include:

• Family dynamics: Family expectations and the value of success and perfection in childhood can stay with an individual throughout their life.
• Cultural expectations: Different cultures put different values on education, careers, and different definitions of success.
• Individual personality traits: Perfectionism can lead to imposter syndrome.
• Comparison: Playing the comparison game can lead to feeling down or inadequate if you are not achieving the same accomplishments at the same rate as others.

It used to be thought that mostly women experienced imposter syndrome, but newer studies show an equal prevalence of imposter syndrome in men and women.

Who suffers the most from imposter syndrome? Those under-represented in an academic or work environment are also more prone to imposter syndrome. Sometimes, imposter syndrome in women can be attributed in part to their low representation in corporate America. Women of colour, in particular, are represented even less.7 The lack of role models can lead to low confidence, a lack of peer support, and a feeling of not belonging—all factors that can contribute to imposter syndrome. What Are the 5 Types of Imposter Syndrome?

The five types are as follows:

1. The perfectionist: This type is focused on how something is done and will feel like a failure due to even the slightest mistake.
2. The expert: This person is concerned about what or how much they know or can do. They feel like a failure if they have even a tiny lack of knowledge about something.
3. The soloist: This type cannot take help from others if they want to be successful.
4. The natural genius: They measure their worth by how and when accomplishments happen in terms of ease and speed. They are ashamed to take extra time or to need to redo something.
5. The superwoman/superman/super student: This person measures their accomplishments by how many roles they can juggle and excel in.

Identifying: Identifying and taking action to combat imposter syndrome can be done alone or collaboratively with a professional. Identifying it can take time and self-reflection.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Am I fearful of being discovered as a fraud?
• Do I feel guilt or shame about your accomplishments?
• Do any of the five types of imposter syndrome resonate?

If so, you may be struggling with imposter syndrome. Identifying the problem is the first step to gaining a healthier attitude about your accomplishments. While the imposter phenomenon isn’t in the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (DSM-5) or recognized as a mental health condition, it still may be necessary to work through it with a therapist, especially if you have feelings of anxiety or depression.

Coping

First and foremost, understand that imposter syndrome is common and that there are helpful tips and tools for combating it.Here are some ways to overcome imposter syndrome:

• Practice setting realistic goals.
• Recognize your expertise.
• Define what success means to you without including the approval of others.
• Stay away from toxic competition.
• Don’t rely exclusively on external validation.
• Set limits and boundaries to avoid overworking.
• Practice healthily responding to failure.
• Praise yourself for your successes and efforts.
• Remember that nobody is perfect.
• Ask for support when you need it.

Imposter syndrome can feel overwhelming, and when it brings up feelings of anxiety, depression, and self-doubt, you may need a helping hand as you work through it.

Summary :

A person with imposter syndrome may feel like a fraud and that their successes and accomplishments are not valid. Gender stereotypes, family expectations, and certain personality traits are believed to contribute to imposter syndrome.Learning to overcome these feelings and accept praise is possible, however. You may be able to do this independently by being mindful when self-defeating feelings arise; in some cases, a therapist can also be helpful.

Author: Master Vikrant RohinMaster Vikrant Rohin is an international author, and more than four countries’ schools are using his books in the core curriculum of education. He is the author of twenty different subject books. History, Economics, Chemistry, Physics, English, Biology, Geography etc. Most of his students hold high-ranking positions in the public and private sectors. He has cracked the world’s toughest exam, the "Civil Services Examination (UPSC)," eight times. Always a topper in academics, he was also a top-class sportsman, a state boxer, and a basketball player.