Introduction

Imposter syndrome is the psychological disturbance that the person experience, they are not self-enough. It is the subjective experience of self-doubt about one’s abilities, skills, talents and accomplishments. It is also called impostorism or imposter phenomenon. But this syndrome is not listed in any diagnostic manual and also not labeled as a psychiatric disorder, yet it is a wide concept and affects the human mental well-being. It is a reaction result to the particular stimuli. Hence it is not a mental disorder. The person starts to feel for themselves and got psychological disturbance, which would affect the competencies and accomplishments. It also severely affects the quality of life and feeling of well-being of the person.

Definition

Imposter syndrome is a behavioral health phenomenon described as self-doubt of their own intellect, skills or accomplishments among high achieving individuals.

Incidence

In 1978, it was first described by Suzanne Imes and Pauline Rose Clance. It was observed first among marginalized groups and successful women. It is more prevalent in high achieving individuals in academics and healthcare field. Though it has other names, currently Imposter Phenomenon is the common usage of term in practice.

Prevalence

➢ More common in females than males and in marginalized groups (Minority racial, ethnic group and socioeconomic status)

➢ High prevalent among students in healthcare professionals.

Risk factors

The risk factors for Imposter syndrome is multi-factorial.

High pressure academic setting

High pressure workplace

High stake settings

Neuroticism

Low self esteem

Perfectionism

Strained personal relationships

Signs and Symptoms

✓ Intellectual self-doubt

✓ Low self esteem

✓ Feeling of fraudulence

✓ Feeling of inadequacy

✓ Denial or failure to achievements and internalized competencies

✓ Fear of failures

✓ Fear of success

✓ Super Heroism

✓ Anxiety

✓ Depression

✓ Burnout

✓ Excessive comparison to peers

✓ Maladaptive personality

✓ Unconscious bias

✓ Role conflict

✓ Lack of social support

✓ False and non-affirming childhood experiences

Types

Experts have recognized five major subtypes of Imposter phenomenon,

Soloist

Natural genius

Expert

Super person

Perfectionist

4 P’s of Imposter syndrome

Perfectionism

Paralysis

People- pleasing

Procrastination

Then, why does it matter?

Though the Imposter syndrome is not the major mental disorder, it causes a huge trauma in the person’s mentality and life leading. It causes,

Stress

Physical and emotional effects

Relationship issues

Lack of personal and professional satisfaction

Unreached potential

Assessment tools for Imposter syndrome

HarveyImposter scale (HIPS)

Clance Imposter syndrome- Self Assessment tool (CIPS)

The perceived Fraudulence scale (PFS)

Leary Impostorism scale (LIS)

Young Impostor scale (YIS)

Impostor feelings questionnaire for Children and Adolescents QSIEA

Imposter self- concept questionnaire (ISCQ)

Imposter phenomenon short scale (IPSS 3)

Differential diagnosis

The differential diagnosis is also likely to be co-morbidities of the imposter syndrome. As there are no formal criteria provided by the ICD and DSM manuals for Imposter syndrome.

Anxiety

Depression

Mood disorders

Burnout

Low self esteem

Personality disorders

How to overcome imposter syndrome?1. Speak up

Doubting ourselves and feeling that, you do not belong to somewhere or someone is a normal feeling. Every person experience this at some occasion. But don’t bottle up these emotions. Let speak it out. The open up conversations would help you to form the great support network.

2. Develop a Growth mind set

Insecure feeling can develop within ourselves. We start to doubt our own abilities and potentials. It would make us to mind even our every small and causal mistake. Hence, developing a growth mind set would help us to get rid of the insecure feeling. Don’t get in to the ’fixed mind set’. It’s significant to develop a ’Growth mind set’.

3. Keep the list of Achievements

When we doubt ourselves or when we are on stress. It is difficult for our mind to remember our accomplishments and achievements. So, keep your list of achievements easy to reach. That would motivate you to keep going and decrease the level of anxiety and the doubts we have on us.

4. Remember your worth

Imposter syndrome would develop you a many struggling feelings. Despite of all those feelings, you must remember that you are meant to be here. Remember and believe that, you always deserve the best in the universe. Let that motivation drives you to perform better in the task.

5. Journal your feelings

Journal all the feelings you experience, both positive and negative aspects of the day. The journaling would ease your mind set and help you to develop the growth mind set. It would make to recognize the stressful thoughts and events. Through this, you can become a better person.

6. Practice self- compassion

Accept that human is error. Acknowledge that everyone makes mistake and from that mistakes or failure part is the learning zone. Treat yourself with kindness and try to understand the emotional intelligence you have. Focus on your strength and embrace the uniqueness you have.

7. Seek professional help

If your imposter feeling affecting your life. Consider seeking for counseling. Therapist would analyze the anxiety, negative thoughts and help you in developing the cope mechanism.

How to break the Imposter syndrome cycle?

Conclusion

Human mental process has numerous entangled emotions and feelings. As every human is unique, every emotion and feeling they experience is also unique. Nowadays experiencing emotions in a weird manner is not a strange. But the strange is how well we handle it. Hence, seeking therapist treatment and counseling at the proper time is the only solution for the entire root less feeling we experience. Right therapies make the life better. Be kind to your mind.

Imposter Syndrome