Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Service Description

Symptoms of impostor syndrome include: Crediting luck or other reasons for any success. Fear of being seen as a failure. Feeling that overworking is the only way to meet expectations. Feeling unworthy of attention or affection. Downplaying accomplishments. Holding back from reaching attainable goals. Imposter syndrome and its symptoms can manifest in many ways, including: At work: People with an imposter mindset often attribute their success to luck rather than their own abilities and work ethic, which could hold them back from asking for a raise or applying for a promotion. They might also feel like they have to overwork themselves to achieve the impossibly high standards they’ve set. At home: Any parent can probably remember a point in time when they felt clueless, incapable and totally unprepared for the responsibility of raising a child. If these feelings go unchecked, parents could struggle to make decisions for their child out of fear they’re going to mess up their life. At school: Students might avoid speaking up in class or asking questions for fear that teachers or classmates might think they’re clueless. In relationships: Some people feel unworthy of the affection they get from a significant other and fear their partner will discover they’re not actually that great. “Sometimes, people self-sabotage that relationship and end it before the other person can,” Dr. Albers says. Feelings of self-doubt can stir up a lot of fear, anxiety and stress. Studies have suggested imposter syndrome can lead to a drop in job performance and job satisfaction while increasing burnout. It’s also been linked to anxiety and depression.