Imposter Syndrome: What is it? Causes and the Way out of it.

You may have heard the word ‘Imposter Syndrome’. In this short article, I will define it and share with you the main types and causes for imposter syndrome; finally, I will advise you on how to productively manage it personally and professionally.

What is Imposter Syndrome?

It is a psychological feeling of doubt about your work accomplishments or, despite success, a feeling that you are not good enough. Or you could have done better.

What are the main types of Imposter Syndrome?

Generally speaking, there are five types of it. See the explanations below to identify which one dominates you, if you have one:

(1)??? The Perfectionist: This category of people normally have high standards of themselves and even if something proves to be successful, they often still believe they could do better.

(2)??? The Expert: Those are people who are more concerned about the “what” and “how much” aspects of a process. This means that when they have only minor knowledge of something, they feel failure and shame. This is due to having a fixed mindset.

(3)??? The Natural Genius: These are type of people who measure competence by how easy the task is and how fast they can do it. If they have to take more time to understand the subject, it feels like they are failing at their job. This is due to lacking growth mind set.

(4)??? The Soloist: The most common form of imposter syndrome is this type; and it occurs when people feel like they have to do everything by themselves. In case help or support is needed, they feel like they are weak and consider it as a failure.

(5)??? The Superhuman: This category of people measures success based on how many roles they can do at once. Most of the newly promoted managers and supervisors fall in this trap. They feel guilty when they fall short, even though they are competent.

What are the main reasons that cause Imposter Syndrome?

There are numerous factors that may contribute to developing imposter syndrome for individuals and teams. Below are some of them:

1.?????? Depression: People who are suffering from depression often feel unworthy and have low self-esteem, making it difficult to find joy or satisfaction in their lives and accomplishments. This depression may fuel feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt, which is one of the major imposter syndrome symptoms.

2.?????? Unrealistic Expectations: Imposter syndrome often stems from unrealistic expectations that one has set for themselves. Whether it is a perfectionist attitude or an unwillingness to accept failure, this attitude can lead to feelings of inadequacy in comparison to the perceived successes of others

3.?????? Comparative Thinking: Feeling like one doesn’t measure up to peers or other high achievers can lead to a deep-seated feeling that one will never be good enough.

4.?????? Negative Self-Talk: People who exhibit negative self-talk often focus on their weaknesses instead of their strengths and put themselves down for any mistakes or missteps they make. These internal beliefs can lead to feelings of self-doubt and low self-esteem.

5.?????? External Factors: External factors such as society’s expectations, gender roles and cultural norms can also lead to people feeling like they are not worthy or unable to meet certain expectations.

What are the most effective ways to manage imposter Syndrome?

Here are some practical tips to face imposter syndrome personally and professionally:

• Face your imposter feelings: You need to know that many people suffer from imposter syndrome. So, you are not alone in feelings of self-doubt, but what matters is how you handle the situation afterward. Recognize your secret thoughts and work on achieving your goals.
• Try compassion-focused therapy: According to Jennifer Olejarz, a health coach at Health Canal, compassion-focused therapy is a type of psychotherapy that can be used to help people avoid self-blame and criticism and, in turn, overcome imposter syndrome. The therapy involves using self-compassion and understanding to create a sense of self-worth and safety for those who are struggling with these negative feelings.
• Talk to someone: Consider sharing what you are going through with friends or colleagues. Several experts advise anyone who faces imposter syndrome to consider group therapy. In a group setting, you are surrounded by people who offer support and validate your struggle.
• Reframe your thoughts: You always have the power to reframe your negative thoughts. Instead of wondering why things happen to you or why things don't work out, instead look at the how—how you can take a different approach, how you can find a solution, how you can boost your confidence.

To conclude, imposter syndrome is a feeling of not being competent enough or things could have been better. We all face imposter syndrome with differently levels. There are some common types of imposter syndrome like: the perfectionist, the expert, the natural genius, the soloist, and the superhuman. The main causes of imposter syndrome are depression, unrealistic expectations, comparative thinking, comparative thinking; negative self-talk and external factors. To handle the imposter syndrome, some effective tips are: Facing your imposter feelings, trying compassion-focused therapy, talking to someone, and reframing your thoughts.

For more information on this topic, visit:

https://www.healthcanal.com/

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