Have you ever felt like you are not enough? You can suffer from this syndrome, which affects students, celebrities and workers.
The impostor syndrome is a psychological disorder that mistakenly makes us feel unworthy of the successes we achieve, the positions we hold, or what we accomplish academically. According to the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), more than 70% of the world’s population has experienced impostor syndrome at some point in their lives.
Celebrities such as Emma Watson, Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter saga; Michelle Obama, a lawyer, writer, and former First Lady of the United States; Howard Schultz, the founder of Starbucks; and Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the Moon, have all suffered from this syndrome. Intimately linked with our own insecurities, this syndrome generates a feeling of deceit towards others, believing that one does not deserve success or recognition.
Sometimes the condition goes so far as to believe that others will uncover a “fraud,” leading to anxiety and a constant search for external validation. “Seven out of every 10 people have believed that their achievements or triumphs are the result of ‘luck’ or the help of others, rather than their own effort, ability, talent, or creativity,” says Laura Barrientos Nicolás, a specialist in the field from the UNAM School of Medicine.
Psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne identified this syndrome in 1978 in female patients, but it was later discovered to affect everyone equally: men, women, and even children. This feeling of not deserving good things in academia or the workplace also leads to being overly perfectionistic, nervous, and wanting to manage so many things that ultimately almost none are resolved.
Although it has many causes and can even stem from low self-esteem in childhood, it is more common in people who overanalyze things, have anxiety disorders, or attention deficit. Even children who are compared to siblings or friends who do things “better” in childhood can suffer from it.
Professions Where It Occurs Most:
In academia, researchers may perceive it despite their scientific achievements. Successful leaders and entrepreneurs often struggle with feelings of inadequacy or lack of preparation for their role. Celebrities, such as actors, actresses, or athletes, are frequently the most affected. In the field of health and medicine, professionals—especially those in training—also often experience it.
If you have ever felt this, you should know about the Dunning-Kruger effect. This psychological phenomenon describes the tendency of less competent individuals to overestimate their abilities, while those more competent tend to underestimate theirs.
To avoid suffering from it, you must first work on your self-esteem and self-confidence, which may also involve developing self-reflection and self-care skills. Some professionals also recommend undergoing cognitive-behavioral therapy, and above all, making time for exercise, even if it’s just a walk, to clear your mind of negative thoughts.