You Might Be Suffering From Imposter Syndrome—Use These Simple Signs To Identify This Disease

Have you ever found yourself consistently experiencing self-doubt, even in areas where you typically excel? Do you often feel fake or phony despite all your accomplishments? If you are feeling that way, then you are suffering from what is called an imposter syndrome.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), it is fairly common, and it is estimated that 70% of people experience this phenomenon at some point in their lives. If you wonder whether you might have imposter syndrome, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you agonize over even the smallest mistakes or flaws in your work?
• Do you attribute your success to luck or outside factors?
• Are you sensitive to constructive criticism?
• Do you feel like you will inevitably be found out as a phony?
• Do you downplay your own expertise, even in areas where you are genuinely more skilled than others?

How Dangerous Is Impostor Syndrome?

Imposter syndrome is dangerous. It is manifested in negative self-talk and may be accompanied by anxiety and depression. First used by Psychologists Suzanna Imes and Pauline Rose Clance in the 1970s, it is now categorised as a mental disorder. To protect yourself from this, you must

What Are Five Types Of Imposter Syndrome?

1. The Perfectionist

You focus primarily on how you do things, often to the point where you demand perfection in every aspect of your life.

Since perfection isn’t a realistic goal, you can’t meet these standards. Instead of acknowledging the hard work you’ve put in after completing a task, you might criticize yourself for small mistakes and feel ashamed of your “failure.”

You might avoid trying new things if you believe you can’t do them perfectly the first time.

2. The Natural Genius

You’ve spent your life picking up new skills with little effort and believe you should understand new material right away.

If something doesn’t come easily to you, or you fail to succeed on your first try, you might feel ashamed and embarrassed.

Your belief that competent people can handle anything with little difficulty makes you feel like a fraud when you have a hard time.

3. The Rugged Individualist (or Soloist)

You believe you can handle everything solo. If you can’t achieve success independently, you consider yourself unworthy.

Asking someone for help or accepting support when it’s offered means:

failing your high standards

admitting your inadequacies

showing yourself as a failure

4. The expert

Before considering your work a success, you want to learn everything about the topic. You might spend so much time pursuing your quest for more information that you have to devote lost time to your main task.

Since you believe you should have all the answers, you might consider yourself a fraud or failure when you can’t answer a question or encounter some knowledge you previously missed.

5. The Superhero

You link competence to your ability to succeed in every role. Failing to successfully navigate the demands of these roles proves your inadequacy.

To succeed, you push yourself to the limit, expending as much energy as possible in every role.

Even this maximum effort may not resolve your imposter feelings. You might think, “I should be able to do more,” or “This should be easier.”