Shirley J. Davis (Morgan)

Have you ever experienced that nagging feeling that if people really knew what you were like, they wouldn’t like you? Or have you thought that someday people will find out you are a fraud because you aren’t really as talented as everyone thinks?

Those feelings, and the symptoms that accompany them, have a name: imposter syndrome.

What Is Imposter Syndrome?

Also known as imposter phenomenon, imposter syndrome is a psychological pattern of thinking in which a person doubts their accomplishments or talents and lives with a persistent fear of being exposed as a fraud.

People with imposter syndrome have feelings of severe inadequacy, usually about their work life, although it can and does affect everyday life as well. Interestingly, imposter syndrome affects some people regardless of how successful they are.

Although imposter syndrome is a psychological phenomenon, it is not in and of itself a mental health disorder, but it often accompanies one.

Many survivors, especially those living with dissociative identity disorder, experience imposter syndrome for two reasons. One, many mental and physical health providers do not believe the condition exists. Two, no one wants to believe they have such a tragic past and such a hard-to-live-with diagnosis.

The Symptoms of Imposter Syndrome

There is no cookie-cutter list of symptoms, as people are affected differently. The lists below are of consistent red flags that point to imposter phenomenon.

These lists are only partial, but they show how self-esteem and self-regard play into imposter syndrome.

Living with Imposter Syndrome

Living with imposter syndrome is exceedingly tricky. One never knows whether how they feel about their performance is real or just another leftover of maltreatment from the past.

As a writer, I often feel that I am an imposter and that one day people will discover I am not an excellent author but have been pretending all these years.

Imposter syndrome flies in the face of logic, making even the best survivor feel as though they and their entire lives are lies. The syndrome is insidious, self-defeating, and harmful to one’s sense of self.

How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome

There are some simple ways to help take the sting out of imposter syndrome.

Remember, all success is subject to interpretation. Perhaps I’m not as good a writer as Robert Frost or a Pulitzer Prize winner. That, however, does not mean I am a fraud. We should not hold ourselves up against others to decide if we are good enough. Instead, we should turn inward and judge how well we do something on our own merits.

Set firm boundaries to stop others from detracting from your personal growth and wellness. Stop others from causing you to doubt your abilities. Build solid walls of protection around your self-esteem and maintain them no matter what. If a person or employer does not believe in your skills, move on. Find a different friend or job where you will be appreciated.

Take ownership of your successes. It is okay to acknowledge to yourself that you have a talent. It is also alright to admit to yourself that you are damn good at your job. The truth is the truth, and it is not bragging or vain to recognize your abilities.

Imposter syndrome is painful because people feel uncomfortable acknowledging their role in their own success. The syndrome is fed by cognitive distortions (irrational thought patterns) based on anxiety rather than facts.

If you cannot pull yourself out of the self-doubt that can plague folks experiencing imposter syndrome, you will want to speak to a therapist. If you already have one or plan to see one, remember to be totally honest with them about how you think about yourself. They will be able to help you know that you are not a fraud, but rather a talented and valuable human being.

© Shirley J. Davis. Shared on Ivory Garden with the author’s permission.