5 Imposter Syndrome Myths You Should Know About
Imposter syndrome affects an astonishing 70% of us at one time or another and if it’s left unchecked, it can have a very detrimental impact on our lives. Yet, there are many inaccuracies in the way that imposter syndrome is portrayed.
Here are five myths about imposter syndrome that I would like to bust…
Myth 1: Imposter syndrome is a mental health condition
Imposter syndrome isn’t a mental health diagnosis. Rather, it’s a psychological pattern in which a person doubts their abilities and has a fear of being a ‘fraud’ or ‘not good enough.’
Imposter syndrome is better described as a collection of feelings, and it can present itself in a long list of different ways. It may show up as self-doubt, anxiety, self-criticism and insecurity. Or as people-pleasing, comparison, a fear of failure, and perfectionism.
Unlike a mental health condition, imposter syndrome isn’t pervasive across all parts of your life. It can get triggered in certain situations – especially when you’re out of your comfort zone or doing an approval-related task. But once triggered, it can wreak havoc on your life.
The toxic combination of thoughts and feelings associated with imposter syndrome can lead people to develop unhealthy coping strategies that fall into two distinct categories:
‘Over-functioning’ (working long hours, over-preparing, perfectionism and difficulty relaxing)
‘Under-functioning’ (avoiding, procrastinating, staying under the radar and failing to be assertive)
Myth 2: It keeps you humble
Some people convince themselves that imposter syndrome has its good points. They tell themselves that feeling inadequate stops them from becoming arrogant or that feeling like a ‘fraud’ makes them work harder and do better. They might say “Well this negative self-talk has got me this far, so it must be working!”
But I’m here to tell you that there are zero advantages to imposter syndrome. Rather than propelling us forward, imposter syndrome holds us back. It makes us feel anxious, it prevents us from internalising our success, it drives us to overwork or procrastinate, and it damages our self-esteem.
Myth 3: The solution to imposter syndrome is a ‘mindset shift’
Many people think that imposter syndrome is purely a mindset issue that can be overcome by changing our thoughts and habits, but this is only part of the picture. To create change at a profound level, we need to approach imposter syndrome from a mind-body perspective.
When we experience the fear and self-doubt associated with imposter syndrome, we activate the nervous system’s survival response and the parts of our brain that process language go offline. Therefore, we can't just talk ourselves out of these experiences, we have to show our whole self that we are safe. This can be done through nervous system regulation and mindful self-compassion – both of which I teach on my digital programme, Reclaiming You.
Myth 4: Imposter Syndrome only affects high-achieving women
Imposter syndrome was originally believed to only affect a narrow sample of women, but psychologists now recognise that it is far more wide-spread.
Imposter syndrome can harm men and women from all walks of life and it affects everyone from students to CEO’s. A variety of factors can contribute to imposter syndrome - our family environment and the way our parents raised us, combined with our personality and our life experiences - they all shape the way we view ourselves. Imposter syndrome can also stem from deeper societal issues; external factors like racial bias and systemic oppression. If you live in a world that doesn’t accept you or dismisses you, you’re bound to feel like an imposter in some situations.
If you would like to learn more about how imposter syndrome is impacting you, and explore ways to manage it, check out my digital programme, Reclaiming You
Reclaiming You is a step-by-step guide to using the wisdom of your body and mind to overcome imposter syndrome, reduce anxietyand reclaim your confident self. Doors open 12th January 2022
