Have you ever felt like you don’t deserve your success? Like your achievements are the result of luck rather than your skill? Or worried that one day, others will “find out” you’re a fraud? If so, you are not alone.
This phenomenon is known as Impostor Syndrome a psychological pattern where high-achieving individuals doubt their abilities and fear being exposed as incompetent. Despite evidence of their competence, people with impostor feelings remain convinced they are “not enough.”
What Is Impostor Syndrome?
Impostor Syndrome, first described by psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes in 1978, primarily affects high achieving individuals who struggle to internalize their successes.
It is not a clinical disorder, but it can significantly impact mental health, career growth, and overall well-being.
Common characteristics include:
- Attributing achievements to luck, timing, or help from others