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)

Doctors and laypeople usually think of impostor syndrome as the exclusive disease of academic superstars and prominent female business executives. However, nothing could be farther from the truth. This condition also affects men and women in other vocations, including full-time mothers. These are the women who introduce themselves by saying “I’m just a stay-at-home mom” and deep inside feel that their performance as mothers is not up to task. These women live in constant fear that their inadequacy will be exposed and one day someone will knock on their door and take their children away.

Stay-at-home mothers who suffer from Impostor Syndrome usually describe their condition as feeling “not grown up enough” to be entrusted with taking care of children. These women feel as if they are not doing a good enough job even though their kids are loving and polite, earn stellar grades and participate in every possible school club and sports team. Their mothers seem to be unable to appreciate these achievements and instead spend their days obsessing about the future and thinking about what could possibly go wrong.

As with most psychological conditions, imposter syndrome has its roots in early childhood. A child who is bombarded with negative massages internalizes them to the point where they become part of his/her subconscious. A typical example is a little girl who is told that it is wrong for her to be too aggressive and to actively promote herself like boys do. If this girl grows up to become a successful executive, chances are that she will struggle with issues of self-confidence. Unconsciously, this woman will feel that it is wrong for her to be so successful, and as a result she will see herself as a fake–an imposter who will be revealed and humiliated one day.

Sandra Gotlaufa

(photo credit: jonnikay)