Find out if you're suffering from imposter syndrome

Do you sometimes feel your achievements are not the result of your hard work and skill but are just luck? And do you fear that one day, someone will reveal you as an imposter or fraud? You might have imposter syndrome!

People suffering from imposter syndrome feel they don't deserve to be where they are and only got there are by sheer chance. The term is most commonly applied to the fields of work and intelligence but is equally applicable to relationships.

Imposter syndrome can also be a form of social anxiety. Even if you perform well in a social situation, you feel that it's just chance and that a socially inept person will never belong in the group. Your belief that you are socially awkward is so strong that you always feel like an imposter and are at risk of being found out. People suffering from imposter syndrome tend to hide their feelings and will suffer in silence. These feelings will eventually worsen anxiety and may trigger depression.

The signs and symptoms of imposter syndrome

Some of the signs of imposter syndrome that you might recognise in yourself include:

• Feelings of self-doubt
• An unrealistic assessment of your skills and intelligence
• Attributing your achievements to luck
• Criticising your own performance
• Fearing that you won't meet expectations
• Overachieving
• Self-sabotaging
• Feelings of disappointment when you fail to achieve very demanding goals

People suffering from imposter syndrome are often high fliers, but their achievements come at the cost of perpetual anxiety. They may work harder than required or prepare over-meticulously so that no one discovers that they are "faking it". They seem unable to internalise their successes. The greater their achievements, the more they feel like imposters.

This syndrome can be triggered by parents who flipflop between high praise for a child's achievements and criticising them too harshly. It can also be triggered by moving into a different life stage; for example, a student starting at university for the first time might feel that they don't deserve to be there.

Identifying imposter syndrome

If you suffer from imposter syndrome, you're certainly not alone! Psychologists believe that around 70% of people will experience imposter syndrome on at least one occasion in their lives. Ask yourself the following questions to find out if you might be one of them:

• Are you a perfectionist who worries over the tiniest mistakes?
• Do you believe your success is due to external factors or luck?
• Are you hypersensitive to criticism?
• Do you worry about being exposed as a fraud?
• Do you underplay your abilities, even on occasions when you know you are more skilled than others?

Imposter syndrome is characterised by self-doubt, negative thoughts and self-sabotage and can impact on many aspects of your life. Bach Flower Mix 44 is specially formulated to help with performance anxiety and a lack of self-confidence.

Imposter syndrome types

Psychologists have identified several different personality types who are likely to experience imposter syndrome:

• Superheroes: these people can never measure up to the challenges they set themselves and drive themselves very hard.
• Natural geniuses: these individuals have extraordinary natural abilities but feel devastated the first time they fail at something.
• Perfectionists: rather than focussing on their achievements, perfectionists fixate on tiny mistakes or flaws. They often suffer high levels of anxiety.
• Experts: always trying to learn more about their subject, experts are never satisfied with their level of knowledge and tend to underate their own abilities.
• Soloists: Soloists dislike being part of a team and will often refuse help, seeing it as a sign of incompetence or weakness.

Overcoming imposter syndrome

To get past feelings of being an imposter, you need to confront some of your most deeply rooted beliefs about yourself. No matter how much you feel like you don't belong, don't let that stop you from pursuing your goals.

Here are a few techniques to try:

• Talk about your feeling and emotions. When you share your irrational anxieties, they are less likely to fester and take hold.
• Assess your skills and abilities, then write down all that you have achieved in our life. Compare the list with your self-assessment - the difference might surprise you!
• Practice focusing on others. In social situations where you feel anxious, look out for others who might be in the same position. Ask them a question and try to help them into the group. This is an excellent way to develop your own social confidence. When you're feeling stressed, Bach Flower Mix 85 is an effective way to help reduce feelings of anxiety.
• Small steps count. Don't try for perfection but aim to do things well enough. For example, in a social situation, try telling a story about yourself or share an opinion.
• Don't compare yourself to others. Every time you compare yourself to someone else, you will discover some failure or fault that drives your feelings of being an imposter. Focus on the other person instead and really listen to what they are saying.
• Limit your use of social media. The images people post on social media often paint a picture of perfection that may be far from the truth. If you try to match these goals that are impossible to achieve in reality, it will only strengthen your belief that you are an imposter.
• Ask whether your fears are rational. Given everything that you've achieved in your life, does it make sense to believe that you are a fraud?

Final thoughts

Acknowledging that you are suffering from imposter syndrome is the first step in dealing with it. Don't allow negative emotions to hold you back. When you feel self-doubt starting to creep in, try to turn your thoughts to a positive direction by remembering everything you've achieved in your life. This will boost your self-confidence and set you on the right path to deal with future challenges.

Other articles

How to spot toxic behaviour

You see the word "toxic" everywhere these days, but what does it really mean? You've almost certainly come across someone who fits the description. Dealing with difficult personalities can be challenging and emotionally exhausting, to say the least.

Why you're not the best

What are your aims in life? Do you plan to be rich, to be a top footballer, to be a good parent, or to become Prime Minister? However efficiently you plan your life, sooner or later you are going to come up against obstacles to achieving your goals.

Isn't depression just a fancy word for feeling a bit down?

Mental health issues such as depression and anxiety affect around 1 in 6 people at some stage of their life. Despite it being such a common problem, many sufferers wait months or even years before seeking help.

Letting go: A guide for survivors

Facing the loss of a family member or close friend is probably one of the most difficult challenges that life throws at us. When we've lost a partner, parent, brother or sister, we're likely to experience intense grief.

Feeling blue?

Feeling blue? You're not alone! We all feel sad at times; it's a normal human emotion. Sometimes, it's clear to see what has triggered our depression. Common reasons for feeling sad include bereavement, the end of a relationship, losing your job or money problems. But it's not always so clearcut.

How to prove your value

Feel like everyone takes you for granted? Whether it's working late to prepare a presentation or cooking a special birthday meal for your partner, it's nice to be appreciated when you've made an extra effort. And if it seems as if people don't notice, you might feel as if no one values you.

Do We Label Too Fast?

Nowadays, it can sometimes seem almost everyone has a mental health issue or learning disorder. But, are we too quick to label people, or is it that we are more aware of the problems? This article looks at some of the issues surrounding these sensitive questions.

Why not me?

It's natural to compare our own lives with those of others - weighing up the pros and cons of situations helps us make decisions. But there can be a downside when you find you're constantly comparing yourself with others, envying their seemingly perfect lives and wondering why they are luckier, more prosperous, and better looking than you.

Dealing with British Summer Time

Some people are overly sensitive to the time change and it can take days, if not weeks, for them to feel right again, while others barely even notice. 

Do you 'Musturbate' too much?

Do you suffer from a disorder known as "musturbation"? This term was first coined in the 1950s by psychotherapist Albert Ellis and described the way a negative inner voice rules our minds and bludgeons us with words such as "must", "should", and "ought".