Imposter Syndrome is not just the latest invention of a bunch of hypochondriacs. It is a real psychological condition affecting hundreds of thousands, perhaps even millions, of people. The phrase was first used by two American scientists in 1978 to describe the problem of successful businesses people who felt incompetent and useless despite of their proven track-record. While some psychologists have been discussing this issue, it is not yet officially recognized as a real psychological disorder.
As a result, we have very little information available about the Imposter Syndrome. Most people have never heard about it, and even sufferers themselves usually have no clue that they might be dealing with a psychological condition. They just continue to go about their daily lives trying to hide the fear of “being found out” one day. While they might appear very confident to others, on the inside imposters feel like fakes who actually do not possess the skills and abilities other people think they do. Imposters think of their success and past performance as just good luck, chance or good timing. These people live in constant fear that their luck will run out and one day their incompetence will be exposed.
It seems that Imposter Syndrome affects women more than it does affect men. Lately, several very successful female academics and business owners have openly discussed their psychological condition. They say they didn’t speak openly earlier because of fear that it would have a negative effect on their careers. These high-achieving women were hiding their feelings of inferiority for years–and for years they were looking in the mirror and seeing just a hopeless fake looking back at them.
Coming out of the closet feels very liberating for them, and it might be the first step to psychological recovery. We need more such women (and men) to come forward and talk about their self-doubt and fears. This will raise awareness of the Imposter Syndrome and help many other sufferers understand their condition and seek help.
Sandra Gotlaufa
(photo credit: jasmincormier)
Wed, Apr 8, 2009
Retraining