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Key Highlights
- Imposter syndrome often manifests in the form of persistent self-doubt.
- Success doesn’t shield you from imposter syndrome.
- Research has shown that imposter syndrome affects individuals from diverse backgrounds, ages, and genders.
The world is evolving rapidly, and individuals are expected to grow with it. We are constantly under pressure, either from family, colleagues, or friends, to be the best version of ourselves. This often leads us to strive for perfection, and when we fail, it dashes our confidence and makes us question who we are.
Let me tell you a story about Tunde, a first-class graduate and the best graduating student in Mechanical Engineering from a prestigious university in Nigeria. He plans to further his education by pursuing a Master’s degree abroad.
To support his goal, he starts applying for scholarships overseas, given his strong academic background. A few months later, he secures a fully funded scholarship and relocates to the United Kingdom.
However, during the first week of classes, Tunde begins to struggle with his academics; he finds it challenging to adapt to the new teaching system. His first-semester results are disappointing, with a few A’s and many D’s, putting his scholarship at risk.
As a result, Tunde starts to question his intelligence and gradually loses confidence in himself. He begins to feel like an imposter, viewing himself as a fraud compared to his peers.
Tunde’s story is just one example of how imposter syndrome presents itself. In Tunde’s case, he found it rather difficult to replicate the achievements he made while in the Nigerian school abroad.
It’s important to note that Imposter syndrome is not confined solely to academic or professional environments. Some individuals may encounter this in their romantic relationships, parenting endeavors, or hobbies.
The Root Cause of Imposter Syndrome: Where It All Begins
Imposter syndrome doesn’t just emerge suddenly. It is often rooted in childhood or adolescence and gradually grows through life experiences, environments, and internalized beliefs.
It is a psychological condition where one believes their success is undeserved and that someday others will realize they are a fraud, even when there is evidence of their success and achievements to prove otherwise.
However, imposter syndrome is not a diagnosable mental illness. According to psychologists Suzanne Imes and Pauline Rose Clance in the 1970s, they identified it as a cognitive distortion.
At the early stage of the study, it was said to only affect women, but further research has proven that men can also experience the imposter phenomenon.
According to psychologists, it is estimated that 70% of people will experience at least one episode of this phenomenon at some point in their lives.
You might wonder what drives imposter syndrome. Well, there are various factors that can trigger it.
Let’s explore the underlying cause of this issue in depth:
1. Early Conditioning: For a lot of people, the journey begins in childhood. Growing up as a child, you might have been labeled as “the smart one,” “the perfectionist,” or “the responsible one.” Now, these labels have shaped how you see yourself, thereby putting pressure on you to constantly perform and meet high expectations.
2. High Standards and Perfectionism: Persons who experience imposter syndrome often set unrealistically high standards for themselves. When they are not able to meet up, they immediately interpret this as incompetence rather than acknowledging that they are merely human.
3. Social and Cultural Messages: Cultural background, race, gender, and societal roles play a role in influencing belief systems. For instance, if you are often the “only one in the room”—whether the only woman in politics, the only minority in leadership, or the only first-generation college student—it is easy to feel like you don’t belong, even when you have earned your place.
4. Lack of Representation or Mentorship: Imagine not seeing people like yourself in the roles you aspire to; it is only natural to assume you are not meant to be there. Without mentors, role models, or community support, self-doubt can grow.
5. Success Without Internal Validation: Imposter syndrome can convince even the most successful people that their success was achieved by chance, timing, or help from others. Because they don’t feel successful internally, they struggle to believe they truly earned their achievements.
The 7 Faces of Imposter Syndrome
Imposter syndrome manifests in several ways, and you may identify with more than one type. Here are seven common categories:
1. The Perfectionist: Just as the name implies, perfectionists strive for flawless outcomes and often feel unsatisfied, regardless of their achievements. This category of people focuses excessively on improving others’ work rather than recognizing their successes.
2. The Superhuman: This category of people sees themselves as superhumans and takes pride in handling an overwhelming workload. They go as far as working overtime to gain validation, neglecting their well-being to prove their capability.
3. The Natural Genius: Natural geniuses believe they should succeed effortlessly and view feedback as a personal failure. This set of people believes they should always get things right the first time.
4. The Soloist: This set of individuals enjoys working independently and hesitates to ask for help, fearing vulnerability. In some situations, this can lead to a delay when deadlines approach.
5. The Expert: Experts feel they must have extensive knowledge before taking on tasks and often criticize those willing to learn and grow.
6. The Noticer: For noticers, it’s a challenge to feel proud of their work because they focus on imperfections. They find it hard to celebrate successes and often experience relief instead of pride.
7. The Discounter: Discounters are very dismissive. They are very quick to dismiss their accomplishments and doubt their abilities. Also, they feel embarrassed to share achievements they believe are easily attainable by others.
The Psychological Effect of Imposter Syndrome
Imposter syndrome has a negative impact on the mental health of those who experience it. Although often overlooked, the psychological impact is significant, and it’s time we start discussing it.
Here are some of its effects:
1. It Steals Joy: Accomplishments that should bring happiness may instead feel unearned, leaving you emotionally drained and disconnected. During your proudest moments, a silent voice whispers, “It was luck,” replacing joy with fear.
2. It Fuels Anxiety and Depression: You may often feel on edge, worried that a single mistake could expose your vulnerabilities. As a result, your mind remains active, making it difficult to truly relax, even after achievements. Gradually, depression seeps in, and doubts about your abilities can lead to avoidance of challenges, deepening feelings of hopelessness, and disengagement.
3. It Leads to Emotional Exhaustion: You might find yourself constantly performing, proving, and pretending. This pressure drains your energy and erodes your confidence until even small tasks feel overwhelming.
4. It Silences You: Imposter syndrome can cause you to hold back your thoughts or contributions, both in relationships and at work. Gradually, you may start avoiding conversations, become comfortable in a certain position, and stay clear of leadership roles.
5. Isolation: Fear of judgment might prevent you from seeking help or sharing your true feelings. You may hide your struggles behind a mask of composure, leading to deep loneliness even in social settings. The inability to connect authentically leaves you yearning for support while feeling isolated in your challenges.
6. It Leads to Identity Crisis: Identity conflict arises when there is a disconnect between your public persona—appearing successful and competent—and your private self, which is characterized by feelings of insecurity and fear. This can lead to identity confusion, making it difficult to reconcile differing aspects of your identity and creating uncertainty about who you truly are.
Breaking The Silence: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
Breaking free from these cycles might seem impossible, but you can get there by following these few steps:
Step 1. Normalize the Experience: Engaging in an open discussion can help suppress the feeling of inadequacy. Many individuals face similar emotions, and sharing can alleviate isolation.
Step 2. Document Achievements: You need to create a “confidence file” to compile all your accomplishments, positive feedback, and milestones. Regularly revisit this file for a reminder of your abilities.
Step 3. Reframe Negative Thoughts: Challenge negative thoughts and assess whether these thoughts are factual; replace them with positive affirmations that highlight your strengths.
Step 4. Mentorship & Community: Seek a mentor who can offer guidance, and join communities to share experiences. Hearing others’ stories provides validation and inspiration, fostering a sense of belonging.
Step 5. Let Go of Perfection: You need to understand that striving for perfection can worsen feelings of inadequacy. Growth comes from experience, including learning from mistakes.
In Conclusion,
Whether you are a student like Tunde, a professional questioning your path, or anyone seeking confidence in life, remember: you are not alone, and your success is intentional.
Growth is a journey, and it’s natural to encounter roadblocks along the way. However, learn to embrace your achievements unapologetically, no matter how small they may seem.
Further reading 👇
Being an African immigrant comes with its own unique set of challenges, and one of the most significant is its impact on mental health.
Read this article to discover the common mental health struggles African immigrants face and practical ways to navigate them.
