Imposter Syndrome.
In a literal sense “Imposter” is someone who pretends to be someone else, often for personal gain and fraud. But Imposter Syndrome is somewhat not similar. It’s a psychological experience in which you feel incompetent and unqualified — despite evidence of your skills, success, or accomplishments.
It’s own self-doubt on accomplishment which usually stems from overthinking and constant comparison with others. It’s also a Feeling of being undeserving of any success or luck that you have achieved, usually in academics or career, despite having enough evidence to prove the contrary.
This experience spans across diverse age groups, from students to professionals. Though the intensity varies, we can easily guess that at least 70% of people will experience Imposter Syndrome at least once in their life.
But is it even real?
Question may arise,
“Isn’t this just another jargon for the certain nature of human beings?”
“Is this even related to mental health or just another pseudo-science?”
The phenomenon was first identified in 1978 by psychologists Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes. Their initial study came from their personal experiences of self-doubt. They soon discovered that their feelings resonated with many others.
Their research highlighted two key family patterns that often led to this phenomenon:
- Overshadowed by a Sibling:
When one child is frequently compared to a more accomplished or “intelligent” sibling, their confidence may diminish over time. Growing up in such an environment can stunt self-belief, even if the child has great potential. - Overpraised at Home, Underwhelmed Outside:
Children who are often praised excessively at home may face a reality check when they step into competitive environments like schools. They may discover that they’re not as exceptional as they were led to believe — leading to feelings of inadequacy.
A Broader Lens
Over time, research has shown that Imposter Syndrome isn’t only rooted in family dynamics. It can also stem from:
- Cultural expectations
- Environmental pressures
- Social media comparison
- Peer influence
Originally they didn’t call it “syndrome” but a “phenomenon”. Nowadays, It’s also known as imposter syndrome, fraud syndrome, or imposter experience.
What if I told you, the person with imposter syndrome is more likely to be “also” an intelligent and successful person.
Even the Best Doubt Themselves
Yes — some of the most accomplished individuals have spoken openly about feeling like frauds. This feeling is especially common in fields like software engineering, where technology evolves at a rapid pace. Even those who achieve significant milestones may question their competence, simply because there’s always more to learn.
In interviews, when asked about the secret to their success, many say, “hard work… and a bit of luck.” That mention of “luck” is telling. It may reflect genuine humility — or a hidden self-doubt about whether they truly deserved their success.
But when we ask any doubts, is that skepticism or Imposter Syndrome?
Well — skepticism involves rational questioning.
Imposter Syndrome is an emotional, internalized feeling of unworthiness.
Is it a Mental Illness?
No, Imposter Syndrome is not a recognized mental disorder. It is not listed in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) or the ICD (International Classification of Diseases) to mark it as a disease.
However, it can contribute to mental health challenges, such as anxiety, depression, and chronic low self-esteem.
In 1981, Harvey created a 14-item scale to measure Imposter traits. In 2023, the framework was updated to include three main dimensions:
- Doubts About Achievement
- Fear of failure or success
- Overpreparation as a coping mechanism
- Perceived Discrepancy
- Attributing success to luck instead of skill
- Self-Handicapping Behaviors
- Creating excuses or obstacles to avoid possible failure
Why It Matters
Unchecked, these patterns can seriously hinder personal growth and career progress. The feeling of “I’m not good enough” can prevent people from seizing opportunities or taking healthy risks.
What Can You Do?
To overcome Imposter Syndrome:
- Don’t let emotions overpower logic.
- Don’t overthink — just take the step.
- Reflect on your past achievements.
- Talk to trusted friends or mentors.
Addressing your doubts before major events can help prevent the syndrome from taking hold.
And always remember:
Your only true competition is with yourself.
Become better than who you were yesterday — that’s your real victory.