By Mariam Dandachli | Staff Writer
Description: Imposter syndrome, which is the feeling of self-doubt regardless of one’s accomplishments, is prevalent among many people. It is important for one to reflect and understand the underlying causes of having imposter syndrome to decrease any negative effects.
Have you ever thought, “Why am I at AUB? I don’t belong here.” If yes, then you might have imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is the feeling of self-doubt and unworthiness despite one’s accomplishments and hard work. The term “imposter syndrome,” also called perceived fraudulence, was introduced in the 1970s by psychologists Suzanna Imes and Paulin Rose Clance. It is an internal psychological perception of oneself and is not a diagnosable medical disorder.
People with imposter syndrome believe that whatever good happens in their lives is due to luck and never the result of their hard work. A student with the imposter syndrom would think, “I’m not smart enough to get an A; I was just lucky” if he scored a perfect grade on a hard exam. They also feel like they are not as competent and achieving as people think they are, and that soon everyone will uncover that they are frauds. John Steinbeck, an American writer, who suffered from imposter syndrome said, “I am not a writer; I’ve been fooling myself and other people”, even after winning the Nobel Prize.
Research shows that 70% of people feel like a fraud at one point in their lives. Imposter syndrome can affect anyone from students to professionals. If you suspect you have imposter syndrome, you might have to reflect on how you feel after getting the grade you want on a test. If you attribute your good grade to “luck” or feel unworthy of it, then you might be experiencing imposter syndrome. In addition, you can ask yourself these questions:
– Do you react negatively to constructive criticism?
– Do you believe you are unworthy and incapable in your education?
– Do you attribute your success to luck or external factors?
– Are you afraid that someone will expose you for not being capable enough?
If you answered “yes” to these questions, you might be experiencing imposter syndrome. However, you need to visit a psychologist to be accurately diagnosed.
Symptoms that appear in people who suffer from imposter syndrome are low self-esteem, self-doubt, self-criticism, and overthinking. Even though some people find that the syndrome pushes them to work harder, it increases one’s anxiety and depression. It can also lead to other health issues if one leads an unhealthy lifestyle such as sleep deprivation with the constant feeling of unworthiness to rest. Imposter syndrome affects one’s social life leading to social anxiety and dysfunction since one would be afraid of being exposed as a “fraud”.
There are many causes that make a person prone to develop imposter syndrome. Two of the main causes are a person’s upbringing and family expectations. If someone was constantly being compared to siblings and friends by parents, they may grow up to compare themselves to others and lack self-confidence. Moreover, in our society, the pressure to achieve can sometimes be interpreted that one’s parents will not love them if they do not meet the expectations set. Another cause might be new challenges individuals face, such as moving countries or entering university. In addition, people who have low self-efficacy or are perfectionists are more highly predisposed.
To move past the feelings of self-doubt, the first step is to acknowledge your feelings and concerns. Next, you can write down your accomplishments and what you excel in and compare them to your self-reflection. Moreover, you can share your fears with friends since bottled up negative feelings are harder to get rid of. While sharing your concerns, you might find someone who is also dealing with imposter syndrome, and you will feel less lonely. Finally, you should seek internal validation without comparing to others, and focus on your achievements and the path in front of you.
If you feel that you are struggling to shift your mindset from one that’s made of self-doubt to one of positive growth, you can always seek help. It is not an incompetence or taboo to seek help, because at the end of the day, we all do. A therapist can help you see things from a different perspective and help you achieve your goals without giving up on your hobbies and social life. You can seek help by visiting the Counseling Center in West Hall or by scheduling an appointment on the AUB website.
It is important to remember that those who experience imposter syndrome can overcome it. More than that, it does not define you or your abilities. So, if you ever suspect that you or someone you know might appear to have symptoms of imposter syndrome, reflect, and answer the questions that will help detangle your thoughts. Based on your answers, you might try to change your outlook either by yourself at home, or with the guidance of a counselor or therapist.