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Do you know what impostor syndrome is?
There are those who achieve success as a result of their work and effort, but even so, someone who does not deserve their position goes through their minds, and who are not really that skilled. This is known as impostor syndrome, and it's a more common problem than you might think.
No matter how old you are or what titles you hold, anyone can fall victim to this emotional conflict and be affected in multiple scenarios. At first glance it seems simple, but the loss of self-confidence is more harmful than it is considered.
If at any time you have been invaded by the feeling that you are a fraud, that you do not deserve to be where you are, and you feel afraid of being discovered, you may have had an impostor episode.
And if you still doubt, here we will teach you how to identify the syndrome and what to do to overcome it.
What is impostor syndrome?
In simple terms, it is a psychological disorder that causes the sufferer to lose all confidence in their merits, talents and abilities.
This often happens with successful people, and the conflict is linked to low self-esteem and fear of failure.
The person who suffers from it enters a state where he cannot recognize his merits or his achievements, and attributes everything to luck, even though there is tangible evidence of his work. This conflict has been widely studied and is also called fraud syndrome.
In general, the affected person experiences a feeling of constant fear of being discovered and disappointing everyone, since in his perception he is in that position as a result of chance, or of having deceived everyone, although this is not real.
Studies ensure that approximately 7 out of 10 people have suffered from episodes of this syndrome, or constantly struggle with it. Its appearance can occur sporadically, or stay permanently and worsen over time.
Factors that activate the syndrome
There is a general characteristic for all those who are affected by this evil, and it is the lack of security. But, in terms of factors, we can highlight the following as causes of the syndrome:
perfectionism
People with perfectionistic behavior can be affected by this syndrome, since in their eagerness to achieve perfection, they are never satisfied with the results. This can lead to them not recognizing their achievements and not seeing themselves as competent.
Excessive demands and comparisons in childhood
When high standards are demanded of a child in his academic development, and his efforts are not recognized, it is very likely that he will develop the syndrome in the future.
On the other hand, comparisons are also not favorable, because they will make you feel inferior to others constantly. In most cases, subjecting it to comparisons will only mean that no matter how hard you try, it will never measure up.
stereotypes
Giving priority to the opinion of society has caused many to lose confidence in themselves, even if they are the most competent and qualified.
Being young, female, of color, or old, makes many predisposed to rejection and doubt their abilities.
extreme self-demand
There are people who set almost unattainable standards for themselves, and this means that no matter how much they achieve great things, it is impossible for them to recognize it.
Over time, a behavior of nonconformity is created that gives way to the appearance of the fraud syndrome.
How to identify someone who suffers from it?
There are many virtual tests that help identify if the problem exists, but for more practical purposes, here are some characteristics of those who suffer from this problem.
Inclination to failure
They are not people with a positive lens, although the plans and projections point to success, they always see it as a possible failure.
Their position is mostly pessimistic, and although they see favorable results in the projects, they do not celebrate them, they only improve.
They self-disqualify when speaking
They never speak of themselves with confidence, they always put themselves in a position of weakness, which many often confuse with humility or modesty, but it is not.
They express themselves with great contempt and do not admit their abilities.
Nonconformity and constant dissatisfaction
They always feel dissatisfied with their results or those of their projects, so it is very difficult for them to assimilate progress in small ways.
They like to be constantly changing and improving everything to make up for their nonconformity.
anxiety and nervousness
It is very common for them to suffer from episodes of anxiety and for their character to be nervous, a product of the constant fear of failing.
This also brings with it the appearance of depression and frustration at not feeling capable, even though they are.
How to deal with the syndrome?
In order to face the problem, the affected person must recognize that they have it, if this happens, a few therapeutic sessions will suffice to overcome the problem.
Keep in mind that a psychological evaluation will always be necessary to determine the cause of the syndrome.
The treatment consists of finding the origin of the disorder, once the source of the problem is found, it can be corrected. The next thing is to work on restoring self-confidence, this is achieved by exposing the achievements obtained.
Finally, you have to get your self-esteem up, so that your self-concept and self- love are stronger, so you won't feel any fear or shame when being praised by others.
Certainly, this type of therapy is carried out effectively by professionals, but the support of the relatives and colleagues of those who suffer from it will be essential to overcome it.
What can cause the syndrome if left untreated?
In simple cases, where it has only occurred as a sporadic episode, the repercussions may be very few, but when it becomes a habitual behavior it can affect the following areas.
Frustrates personal growth and development
A career, a job or an entrepreneurial opportunity can be thrown away by the appearance of this psychological conflict. Many people who suffer from it have given up great opportunities and positions because they do not feel qualified.
creates stagnation
Their life reaches a limit, from where they do not dare to go through their fears and insecurities. This means that they do not take risks or dare to claim better positions, solely because they are not qualified.
Do not think that this is only present in the workplace, since it extends, covering aspects such as marriage or parenthood.
Strong depressive states
When this situation is not faced, the person most likely ends up going through a strong depression, seeing how fear interferes with their life, or how others keep the positions or opportunities that could have been theirs.
Imposter Syndrome sounds funny, but it's not funny at all.
If you feel that you identify with some of its characteristics, or if you know someone who suffers from it, do not hesitate to seek help, remember that mental health will never be a game.
