Imposter Syndrome: All You Need to Know

You may have found yourself in my situation or can at least relate to it. After working as a counselor for an organization for a few years, I knew it was time to branch out and explore better options. I knew I was competent based on the feedback I got from my clients and superiors. I began my practice, but I could not do away with the feeling of unworthiness or not feeling good enough. I felt that I knew nothing because I did not have the same level of experience as others running a private practice in my field. As a result, I did not even promote myself because I didn’t feel I had much to offer. I forgot I would simply be doing what I was doing before working for the organization. The thought of charging higher for my services felt like I was cheating my clients, yet I was more than qualified to charge those rates.

You may have a different experience, whether in your career or relationships, but the underlying problem is the same. I have had clients telling me that they have worked so hard to attain a certain role at their job for many months, yet when they got it, they still felt like a ‘fake’ and did not deserve to be there. When other people referred to them by the new title, it felt like they were calling someone else. To be comfortable in the position, they felt they needed to learn enough things about the new role. They forgot the fact that someone chose them among many to occupy the position for a reason. If you have experienced the above feeling, whether at work or in your social life, then you have experienced imposter syndrome.

Initially, imposter syndrome was perceived to affect high-achieving women. However, research has found it to be a wider experience for many regardless of their social status, work background, skill level, or degree of expertise. It is estimated that 70% of people experience this phenomenon at some point in their lives. And contrary to what many believe, it mostly affects high achieving individuals, people you’d never suspect. A good example is someone nominated for an award in their field. With imposter syndrome, they feel like a ‘fake’ at the recognition ceremony because they feel their achievements are not enough to warrant the nomination, even though everyone else agrees they deserve it.

What is Imposter Syndrome and what causes it?

Imposter syndrome is a psychological experience of feeling like a fake or a phony despite any genuine success that you have achieved. It manifests in your work, relationships, friendships, and other aspects of your life. It may show as a consistent feeling of self-doubt, even in areas where you typically excel. You may feel some nervousness, a belief that someone will know you don’t deserve something or constant negative self-talk.

When you have imposter syndrome, you may find yourself…

• Downplaying your expertise, even in areas where you are more skilled than others
• Stressing over the smallest mistakes or flaws in your work
• Crediting your success to luck or outside factors
• You become too sensitive when corrected or given constructive criticism
• You always feel someone will know you are a ‘fake’ or not good enough to have what you have

Imposter Syndrome can affect anyone, regardless of their success. Understanding what causes it is an important step to overcoming it. Some common causes include:

Perfectionism: People who want everything to be perfect set very high goals for themselves, and when they don’t achieve them, they doubt their abilities. We will discuss this further in the types of imposter syndrome.

Family Expectations: Your upbringing can cause feelings of unworthiness, especially if you come from a family that places a lot of importance on achievement. If you were raised like this, you might feel inadequate when you don’t live up to their expectations.

Personal Identity: Things like race, gender, or family background can make you feel like an imposter, especially when you have low self-esteem.

Workplace Environment: Working in a very competitive or unsupportive environment with a ‘sink or swim’ mantra can make you feel like an imposter. People in such workplaces end up believing they are there out of luck, not competency.

Comparison with Peers: In a ‘Social media’ age, comparing oneself with others is easier than ever. You may sometimes feel like you’re not doing as well as others (even if you are) when you see your peers’ posts about their achievements.

Early Academic and Work Success: Surprisingly, early success in life can lead to Imposter Syndrome. If you were always told you are talented, then you might find yourself worrying you’ll eventually fail and prove everyone wrong.

For more on the causes of imposter syndrome, click here to be redirected. Imposter syndrome can manifest in many ways, as illustrated below. Find out if there is an ‘imposter type’ that perfectly describes your case.

The Five Types of Imposter Syndrome

Based on research by Dr. Valerie Young, imposter syndrome can be understood in five basic types, as the findings of the research revealed.

The Perfectionist

This type believes that, unless you are absolutely perfect when doing something, you could have done better. If this is you, then you will always feel like you’re not as good as others might think you are.

The Expert

The expert feels that to be competent, they should know everything there is to know about a particular subject or topic. They feel they should have mastered every step in a process to deserve recognition, even though they are miles ahead of others on the subject.

The Natural Genius

This imposter syndrome makes you feel like a fraud because you doubt you are naturally intelligent or competent. If you don’t get something right the first time or take longer to master a skill, you feel like a fraud.

The Soloist

This is where you feel unworthy because you had to ask for help to reach a certain level or status, even though you were competent. You find yourself questioning your competence or abilities because you did not get there on your own.

The Superperson

The superperson type believes they must be the hardest worker or reach the highest levels of achievement possible to feel worthy. They will outdo themselves and still feel fake if they don’t achieve their (sometimes unrealistic) goals.

If you often find yourself experiencing imposter syndrome, then you are not alone. Imposter syndrome can have damaging effects on your life, causing negative thinking, self-doubt, and self-sabotage. Overcoming Imposter Syndrome involves understanding the triggers, accepting that perfection is impossible, and rethinking what success means. It also means seeking support from others who can offer perspective and reassurance.

To learn more about how to cope with imposter syndrome, click here for a detailed article. You can also consider seeing a certified counselor who will help you identify the root causes of your negative thoughts and self-defeating behaviors. They will equip you with practical strategies to develop self-confidence. Don’t let imposter syndrome hold you back any longer. You are better than you think or feel you are.

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