Imposter Syndrome: Why You Feel Like a Fraud

Have you ever achieved something great, but then immediately dismissed your accomplishment as luck or coincidence? Or maybe you constantly worry that you’ll be exposed as a fake, despite all the evidence of your skills and qualifications? If so, you’re not alone. This is a common phenomenon called imposter syndrome.

Imposter syndrome is a feeling of inadequacy that persists despite evidence of success. People who experience imposter syndrome often attribute their accomplishments to luck or external factors, rather than their own skills and abilities. They may also constantly fear being exposed as a fraud, even if they are objectively successful in their field (APA, 2021).

Fear of Achievement Among Young Women

Research suggests that imposter syndrome can be particularly prevalent among certain groups, such as young women (Anjum & Godil, 2019). A study conducted in Pakistan found that young women often experience pressure to conform to gender roles that discourage academic and professional achievement. This pressure can lead to a fear of achievement, which can manifest as imposter syndrome.

Working with Imposter Syndrome

The good news is that imposter syndrome is not a mental illness, and there are steps you can take to overcome it (Burford, Fyffe, & Khoo, 2022). Here are a few tips:

1. Acknowledge your accomplishments.
   • When you achieve something great, take the time to celebrate your success. Don’t downplay your accomplishments or attribute them to luck.
2. Reframe failures as learning experiences.
   • Everyone makes mistakes. When you experience a setback, view it as an opportunity to learn and grow.
3. Talk to someone you trust.
   • Sharing your feelings of imposter syndrome with a friend, mentor, or therapist can help you feel less alone and develop strategies for coping with these feelings.

Remember, you are not alone. Imposter syndrome is a common experience, but it doesn’t have to hold you back. By following these tips, you can learn to manage imposter syndrome and achieve your full potential.

Dr. Sara C is renowned for her expertise in EMDR, CBT, and DBT therapies. Serving California, Texas, and Oregon, including Newport Beach, CA; Beverly Hills, CA; San Diego, CA; Portland, OR; Jacksonville, OR; Dallas, TX; and Houston, TX, she is one of the best telehealth therapists available.

Sources:

Anjum, G., & Godil, A. (2019). Fear of achievement among young women in urban Pakistan: A phenomenological analysis of fear of achievement (FOA). Cogent Social Sciences, 5(1), 1666620.

Burford, J., Fyffe, J., & Khoo, T. (2022). Working with/against imposter syndrome: Research educators’ reflections. In The Palgrave Handbook of Imposter Syndrome in Higher Education (pp. 377-394). Cham: Springer International Publishing.

American Psychological Association. (2021, June). Overcoming impostor phenomenon. https://dictionary.apa.org/impostor-syndrome