Living with Imposter Syndrome, a documented psychological phenomenon experienced by high-performing individuals, who feel an intense desire to prove themselves to those around them, is much like living with a sense of uncertainty and worry. Imposter Syndrome can occur in anyone, but there are some key differences between those who develop it and those who don't.
People with Imposter Syndrome are more likely to struggle with conformity, have poor self-perception and have low self-esteem. It is the feeling of being a fraud. It's the idea, that you're more likely to be found out for what you really are not just by others, but yourself. A person struggling with Impostor Syndrome has a constant fear of being exposed as a ‘fraud' or a ‘failure' and it becomes inextricable from their very identity.
Coping With Imposter Syndrome
A number of different strategies can help people suffering from Imposter Syndrome. It is important to note that, while all of these strategies are good, they are not absolute necessities.
The first thing one must do is accepting one's condition. There is nothing, that one can do to change the fact, that one is an imposter. It is only through accepting this fact and being honest about it, that one has a chance to develop a more positive outlook on their situation.
The second thing one must do is to find a strong support system. This will help them cope with the doubts and insecurities, that they will inevitably face. It will also contribute to their success.
The third thing one must do is to be selective about the situations in which they apply themselves. The more one ventures into unknown regions, the higher the probability of being caught and the more severe the punishment is likely to be. It is better to be safe, than to risk being a fool.
Finally, it is important to take a deep breath and to stay calm. Panic attacks serve no good and in fact hinder the process of moving forward.
Social Interactions As An Imposter
Social interactions can be difficult as an imposter. It is very hard to determine if one's actions are being judged on a moral sense or purely on a practical one. Most of the time, people will not recognize that you're an imposter, but rather assume you're one of the "good" ones who just got lucky, rather than someone who deliberately attempted to deceive.
When the time comes to lie, it is hard to know when to do so. Deceiving people is a serious matter and can have serious consequences. Should one lie to avoid seeming like a "bad" imposter, or tell the truth and risk being exposed as one? These are things that you must consider. It is also important to remember, that no one can tell if one is being sincere or not. This is another thing that you must bear in mind, if you wish to have any chance of success.
Controlling The Syndrome
You can work hard to try and control the Imposter Syndrome, but you're likely to fail. This condition is not one, that can be fully controlled, but rather one, that can be managed. In other words, one cannot simply will themselves to become a "real" person, but they can keep it under check. The only way to do that is to stay focused.
There are a number of ways that can make one seem more "real", but the only way to actually be more real is to interact with the world, regularly. This can only occur, when one is not in the middle of a panic attack. When a panic attack does occur, it is best to either sit, relax and breathe deeply or grab a trusted companion and just talk.
Effects Of Imposter Syndrome
The main effect of Imposter Syndrome is in the way, that it makes an individual behave. They are more likely to engage in behaviors, that they think will make them appear more competent. Their actions are likely to be more risky, because they assume the worst possible outcome from a moral or logical standpoint.
Because they are constantly worried about being found out, they tend to be very guarded and cautious. This does not necessarily mean, that they are a "bad" person, it just means, that they have a tendency to engage in "tricks" and "trades", rather than trusting relationships.
When dealing with people, the Imposter Syndrome can cause one to either:
Understand that others are probably lying to them or
Just accept that they themselves are probably lying to others, because it is impossible to tell if they themselves are telling the truth.
This can lead one to be very cynical and distrustful of others, which can severely impair social interactions. There are also some other effects, that aren't present in every sufferer, but are common enough to mention.
Rapid mood swings, from being extremely happy to being extremely depressed.
Odd compulsions to do certain things, that one might not normally do.
Inability to concentrate, either on academics or on tasks at work.
In rare occasions, there can be more serious manifestations of the condition. People with severe cases can lose touch with reality. They may start hearing voices, seeing things or simply acting in ways, that are not socially acceptable. If such a person is not properly diagnosed and treated, they may lose their mind.
How To Overcome It
There are a few different ways in which one can try to overcome their condition. The only way one can truly overcome the Imposter Syndrome, is to succeed in their endeavors. This is the only way, that one can really move past the condition. One must not give up. There will be situations in which one's actions might seem reckless or foolish. That is to be expected.
What is not expected is the number of panic attacks, that one will experience. It is essential, that one develops a strong sense of self worth, before continuing their deception. It is also imperative, that one finds a way to deal with the amount of shame that they experience, from being caught out as an imposter. The only way to overcome this shame, is to take complete control of their situation. Only by being proactive, can they hope to gain the upper hand.
Develop A Routine
A routine is very important. It gives one some sort of structure and predictability to their life. Without it, they are very likely to slip into a state of panic. Having a routine also gives one a sense of control. When things are "going well" one has a sense of accomplishment. When things are "going poorly" one can fall back on the routine to help them through. It is very likely for one to have a negative outlook on their life, if they do not have a routine.
Having a routine also prevents one from being "over-involved". Involvement in activities that are not beneficial to one's overall goals, can have very negative side-effects. One such activity is an unhealthy obsession with the deceiver. This can have a detrimental effect on one's ability to interact with the "real world".
Thank you for reading.
Yup, it's bloody terrible. I spend about 40% of my time convincing myself that I don't know anything and am doomed to fail, 50% convincing myself otherwise and 10% doing the work about which I've got hangups. It's slow-going, anxiety-inducing, incredibly stressful and exhausting.