Imposter Syndrome… For When You Feel Like A Fraud.

Disclaimer: This post with originally published on HearHerSpeak.com where I am a contributing writer for their brand. This post has been updated to fit my readers so some discrepancies may be noticed

There I was in the middle of sending a job application when I stopped and exited the app. I was applying for some magazine I had adored, but I didn’t feel like I had the qualifications to be considered, so I quit halfway. Here’s the thing: I spent my college years writing for my schools’newspaper, Her Campus, The Odyssey, and any other media platform that would take me. So, I would say that I had enough experience, but still, I felt like a fraud. This is something I constantly experienced when it came to opportunities in my field. I would even downplay my experience and achievements because it didn’t feel like much. Sounds familiar?

That feeling of self-doubt and fraudulence despite your achievements is better known as Imposter Syndrome, and it’s more common than you think. College students, Celebrities, even Political Candidates suffer from this syndrome. Former First Lady Michelle Obama also opened up about having this feeling. About 70% of the population experience having feelings that they don’t deserve their accomplishments and it would be a matter of time before everyone found out. This is especially common in disproportionate groups such as communities of color, LGBTQ communities, and of course women. If you’ve ever jeopardized a perfectly good job, doubted your ability to do something you know you could do in your sleep, or even turned down amazing opportunities, this could be you.

Imposter Syndrome isn’t categorized as an illness or abnormality, but instead a pattern, which kind of downplays how common it is. The reason why it is so often downplayed is that we don’t speak about it enough. People dealing with Imposter Syndrome usually feel like they’ve gotten lucky and that’s how they’ve achieved their success. Sometimes these feelings date back to childhood: the way your parents treated you could have left you predisposed to Imposter Syndrome. Children who grow up in households where there is a strong emphasis on success and achievement are more likely to feel like imposters in adulthood.

Symptoms May Include...

Feelings of inadequacy
Feelings of self–doubt
Comparing yourself to others
Lack of confidence in your own capabilities

Originally when Dr. Pauline Rose Clance studied the Impostor Phenomenon, she believed this was a pattern to only affect women. Later, they discovered it was an issue that affects everyone. It is easier to notice in women because we tend to have this feeling that we are not enough or that we don’t deserve to be here, it’s become one of the many battles we fight. We also fight the issues of gender roles, the glass ceiling, stereotypes, etc. Therefore, this feeling of being an imposter despite the several degrees and accomplishments we have achieved is normal. For example, I have a cousin who is a Doctor, she graduated high school at 15 and pushed as hard as she could to become a Doctor at a young age. Through her “clinicals”, she struggled with being one of the only Black women there, being the youngest, and having a thick Caribbean accent. Despite the Blood, sweat, and tears; when she finally achieved her goal, she felt like a fraud. This feeling came from being told that women don’t become Doctors, especially Black Women. This is common in minorities because we are so used to hearing that we don’t belong and know that we must work twice as hard to be seen. So, we don’t think twice about this feeling, but it still affects us.

Imposter Syndrome makes you doubt not only yourself but your capabilities as well. Although it is a common non-threatening issue, Imposter syndrome does have links to more serious issues such as Anxiety and Depression. Not believing in yourself, dismissing your achievements for luck, and doubting yourself can have adverse effects on your mental health. I think within our generation, Imposter syndrome is so typical because millennials are viewed as the generation that has everything handed to them. Our parents worked hard to achieve what they’ve done and where they are, but to them, it seems as if we all were given our positions. The behind-the-scenes work that we put in isn’t noticed because we’ve learned to juggle all our struggles while still making it “look good for the gram”. Thing is, we all post the highs and never the lows or the feelings of incompetence. All you’re seeing is someone’s Instagram stories and not their drafts.

While you may feel completely out of place when you accept that new job or start work in your field, remember that this is common. Speak out about how you’re feeling and try not to doubt yourself and your accomplishments. When in doubt, fake it until you make it because you deserve your spot. Focus on everything that you have to offer and believe in yourself and your capabilities; this should be helpful towards combating your feelings of Inadequacy. The bottom line is to remember that you are not alone, your friends and mentors have probably been in the same position that you’re in right now.