As the academic year is coming to and we all adjust to our new roles within our residency programs or as new attendings or fellows, I thought this would be a good time to talk about this.
Imposter Syndrome
Originally described by psychologists Suzanne Imes, PhD and Pauline Rose Clance, PhD in the 1970s, it is defined as an "internal experience of intellectual phoniness". Essentially, this means that people with imposter syndrome feel that their achievements are undeserved and worry about being "found out"that they are less than adequate despite evidence indicating success and/or competence.
Dr. Clance described six potential characteristics:
The imposter cycle
The cycle starts with a task, which is then met with anxiety, lead to either over-preparation for the task or procrastination (which is over-compensated with frenzied preparation). When the task is completed, there is relief, but this is short-lived despite positive feedback. Instead, the person believes that their success is either due to their hard work or luck, but not due to their ability.The result is a feeling of self-doubt, depression, and anxiety and a tendency to overwork.
The need to be special or the very best
Those with imposter syndrome are secretly comparing themselves to others, which leads to a feeling of inadequacy.Super(wo)man aspects
Related to the need to be the best, people with imposter syndrome set unrealistic goals for themselves.Fear of failure
This can also be identified as the main motivational factor for most people with imposter syndrome.Denial of competence and discounting praise
Adding onto feelings of inadequacy, those with imposter syndrome have difficulty internalizing success and will even make excuses about why praise is not deserved.Fear and guilt about success
Although people with imposter syndrome crave success, they also fear it because it makes them feel isolated in their success. They also fear taking on more responsibilities as they're more likely to be "found out" with higher expectations.
This was further elucidated by Dr. Valerie Young who broke down the syndrome into five different personality types in her book The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women:
Perfectionists: people who set unrealistic goals and feel like failures despite the level of completion of these goals
Experts: people who need to know every piece of information and will overeducate themselves. They are also afraid of looking stupid and will hesitate to assert themselves
Natural geniuses: people that are used to achieve success effortlessly, which leads to feelings of inadequacy when any effort is needed
Soloists: people who feel that asking for help is a sign of failure
Super(wo)men: people who need to work harder than everyone else around them in order to succeed in all aspects of life
How to deal with imposter syndrome
As with any problem, the first step is identifying and recognizing the problem. From there, overcoming imposter syndrome requires a lot of self-reflection and much of this comes from reframing your mindset on what qualifies as success. Some potential methods:
Seek help: this can be found in a mentor, a friend, or a therapist. Vocalizing feelings and concerns can help in several ways. First, it can help identify characteristics that are typical of imposter syndrome, which can lead to increased self-awareness. Talking can also help with the realization that imposter syndrome is not an uncommon occurrence, which helps to normalize the condition.
Lean to internalize validation: people with imposter syndrome tend to dismiss positive feedback. Learning to reframe your mindset by resisting this response to positive feedback can help put things into perspective.
Be realistic about expectations: the expectations that those with imposter syndrome set for themselves are unrealistic. It is important to realize that nobody is perfect and to properly reflect on one's own successes. Likewise, it's important to recognize that everyone has strengths and weakness and to reflect on one's strengths and not to see weaknesses as failures.
Figure out your true goals: it's possible the goals that you've set for yourself would not actually ones that would make you happy. Take stock in what really matters and that may also help to redirect your ambitions.
Sources:
Abrams A. Yes, Imposter Syndrome is Real. Here’s How to Deal With It. Time Website. http://time.com/5312483/how-to-deal-with-impostor-syndrome/
Roche J. 10 Ways to Overcome Imposter Syndrome. The Shriver Report Website. http://shriverreport.org/10-ways-to-overcome-impostor-syndrome-joyce-roche/
Sakulku J, Alexander J. The imposter phenomenon. International Journal of Behavioral Science. 2011;6(1):75-97.
Weir K. Feel Like a Fraud?. American Psychological Association Website. https://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2013/11/fraud
Wilding M. 5 Different Types of Imposter Syndrome (and 5 Ways to Battle Each One). The Muse Website. https://www.themuse.com/advice/5-different-types-of-imposter-syndrome-and-5-ways-to-battle-each-one