Is It Talent or Dumb Luck?


Impostor Syndrome and Its Implications for Mental Health

Have ever doubted whether you achieved something not because you are qualified or talented or a hard worker, but because of sheer luck? Are you unsure if you truly belong in your position?

Then you may have experienced what the experts call “impostor syndrome”.

While the motto “fake it till you make it” has become a quintessential motivational quote for a majority of today’s workforce, many young professionals often experience anxiety and negative feelings around a primal fear of being exposed as frauds—specifically for not measuring up to their jobs or academic positions.

We recently hosted a virtual event during which expert panelists discussed this phenomenon in-depth, sharing personal stories as well as tips & tricks to overcome the occasional bout of impostor syndrome. If you’d like to view this exclusive event, you can access it here: “Am I Good Enough to Be Here?” 

Impostor syndrome panel discussion

What Is Impostor Syndrome?

Though it is not a recognized condition in the DSM, impostor syndrome as we know it has been recognized by psychologists since the 1970s.

Impostor syndrome is a very specific form of self-doubt that normally afflicts high-achievers or people who grew up in families that placed a big emphasis on achievement. 

How Can You Recognize Impostor Syndrome?

Because of their fear of being exposed as frauds, people whose mental health is affected by impostor syndrome are unlikely to talk about it or reach out for help—but you can learn to recognize the signs that you or someone around you might be feeling like a hoax.

One of the most common tell-tale signs is perfectionism. Impostors feel a very real need to demonstrate that they can perform tasks flawlessly, but because of the crushing amount of pressure they put on themselves, they often end up chronically procrastinating or wasting enormous amounts of time over-preparing.

Mental Health Implications

Researchers have noticed a correlation between social anxiety and impostor syndrome, but non-apprehensive people can also experience anxiety if they find themselves in situations where they feel inadequate or unprepared.

Impostor syndrome is likely to create a vicious cycle that begins with a lack of self-confidence and leads to an inability to take credit for your own achievements. This leads to beliefs of being a fraud and feelings of anxiety or shame, which can result in overworking and feeling undeserving of praise or recognition.

The cycle continues until the anxiety and negative feelings spiral out, and, if ignored, this dynamic can worsen anxiety and may lead to full-blown depression. 

positive woman peeking out orange background

What Can You Do About It?

Can you relate to feeling impostor syndrome? 

Impostor syndrome is more common than you think! This is a very manageable concern, with roughly 70% of people experiencing it at least once in their lifetime. 

The most beneficial first step is to share your feelings and avoid becoming isolated, whether you decide to seek help from a mental health professional, a family member, or a colleague. On the other hand, if you think someone close to you might be experiencing impostor syndrome, try to make sure they don’t isolate themselves from others. You can also try to help them develop a more realistic perspective on their abilities and competence through honest feedback.

The goal is for the “impostor” to stop seeing themselves as unworthy of praise, and to be able to internalize their experiences of success. There are a few simple things that anybody can do to help this process along: some people find that keeping a record of positive feedback from others can help, while others prefer recalling past successes or making a point of celebrating current achievements.

Why Is It So Common?

While there is no specific evidence pointing to a higher rate of impostor syndrome among any specific demographic, Millennials are uniquely positioned to be most vulnerable to its effects. Once known as “Generation Stress,” most millennials were raised by parents with the bad habit of oscillating between over-praise and criticism. According to the American Psychological Association, this behavior can specifically increase the risk of fraudulent feelings in young adults. 

The myth of the college drop-out billionaire rose to popularity in the past few decades, fueled by hyped-up lists of 30-under-30 overachievers. It is not easy to take your achievements seriously when our society defines “success” as having founded a unicorn startup in your early 20s.

The fact is, many of us have careers that are perfectly adequate, but no salaried position can possibly measure up to the ideal of the visionary entrepreneur, leaving us with the empty feeling that our achievements—as impressive and noteworthy as they might be—are not deserving of celebration and recognition.

Plus, we never get a chance to stop comparing ourselves to the gods of social media and reality TV. Beauty filters and retouching software create unattainable standards for what our bodies should look like, while celebrities and influencers render lavish, extravagant lifestyles the norm. 

These fabricated standards set up Millennials and Gen Z to establish unrealistically high goals for their personal and professional lives based on standards that don’t translate into the real world.


mental health

Impostor syndrome does affect a lot of people to varying degrees, but it can also be resolved fairly easily. 

May is National Mental Health Month, dedicated to raising awareness of those living with mental health issues and to help end the stigma so many experience. If you or someone you know are struggling with mental health, you can contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357. The service is confidential, free, and open 24-hours a day, 365 days a year.

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