Feeling out of place? How to beat imposter syndrome

"The term imposter phenomenon was coined in 1978 by American psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes, who noticed their female students and therapy patients were full of doubt about their abilities. A 2021 survey found that up to 82% of people have experienced what's become known as imposter syndrome that nagging feeling that you've tricked everyone into thinking you know what you're doing. Imposter syndrome is incredibly common among my clients, says psychologist Dr Jessamy Hibberd, author of The Imposter Cure."

"It seems to be worse among high-achieving, very competent people who are outwardly very successful and experienced. Indeed, Michelle Obama, David Bowie and Maya Angelou have all spoken about feeling as if they didn't deserve their success. Hibberd says it's not just at work that people can feel like imposters: parenting, relationships and social media can all bring on feelings of inadequacy and a deep fear of getting found out."

"Imposter syndrome can lead to anxiety and depression, interfere with our ability to take risks, and make it harder to progress. So what should you do if you can't shake the feeling that you're only a poorly worded email away from being fired? How can you overcome the fear that one bad day means everything will fall apart? We asked the experts for their tips on how to beat feelings of self-doubt for good."

Imposter phenomenon describes a pervasive sense of fraudulence despite clear accomplishments, first identified in 1978. Up to 82% of people report experiencing such feelings, which often afflict high-achieving, competent individuals. Public figures have reported similar doubts, and feelings can arise across work, parenting, relationships and social media. Imposter feelings contribute to anxiety, depression, risk-avoidance and stalled progress. Practical responses include recording anxious predictions, tracking actual outcomes, and comparing expectations with reality to disconfirm catastrophic beliefs. Consistent testing of fears and gathering evidence of competence can reduce self-doubt and restore willingness to take opportunities.

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