The term Imposter Syndrome encapsulates complex emotions of inadequacy and intellectual phoniness, whereby one feels undeserving of their success, often perceiving themselves to be a fraud in their own shoes. Contrary to the feeling of humility, this emotion is a genuine belief that one does not belong in one’s environment and will soon be outed as an imposter. Coined by Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Ament Imes (1). This phenomenon was initially diagnosed solely in high-achieving women of the workforce, due to intense societal expectations as well as internalised feelings of inferiority (stemming from society’s stereotype of women being less intelligent than men). However, the media- driven humdrum of the present-day renders this phenomenon to now be universal, experienced by everyone at some point in their life.
Whether it is caused by social media’s need to keep up unrealistic pretenses, or the tyranny of a high-pressure environment, at some point the individual succumbs into believing themselves to be inferior, or worse, a fraud to their own existence. Whilst the Imposter phenomenon on its own is a struggle for the individual, most struggle with these feelings alongside perfectionism (1) and social anxiety, as they are constantly riddled with the fear of being ‘discovered,’ as an imposter. Other characteristics include constant self-doubt and fear of disappointing others, setting unrealistic goals and feeling shattered when falling short to them, as well as, in extreme circumstances, sabotaging one’s own success (2).
The diagram (3) showcases the traits and the possible mannerisms they may lead to, while also alluding the vicious cycle the syndrome perpetuates on the individual; they are unable to internalise their success.
There are, however, ways to battle these hopeless feelings of self-fraudulence. Arlin Cuncic (2) recommends sharing one’s feelings and challenging their thoughts with questions such as "must I be perfect for others to approve of me?" and “does my intelligence solely define who I am?”. Another method involves reducing one’s usage of social media. Helping others who struggle with these thoughts, and through this, understanding that the individual is not alone in their thoughts, will also strengthen the individual’s belief in themselves. In a nutshell, the individual must learn to be grateful for their accomplishments, while also never letting the emotions get in the way of their goals and dreams.
References
1 - Henning, K., Ey, S. and Shaw, D. (1998), Perfectionism, the impostor phenomenon and psychological adjustment in medical, dental, nursing and pharmacy students. Medical Education, 32: 456-464. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2923.1998.00234.x
2 - Cuncic, A. (2021, February 26). How to Stop Feeling Like an Outsider When You Have Social Anxiety. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/imposter-syndrome-and-social-anxiety-disorder-4156469#citation-4
3 - Sakulku J, Alexander J. The imposter phenomenon. International Journal of Behavioral Science. 2011;6(1):73-92.
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