I chose to talk about this syndrome because it is discussed in psychology, but also in many other disciplines. Many students and professionals face this impostor syndrome.
First of all, impostor phenomenon refers to people who are convinced that they do not deserve their success and fear being uncovered by their peers. Having these feelings can be constructive and positive because it helps having more motivation, commitment and humility, although testimonies on that point are still rare.
However, even on a low degree, this syndrome can cause important psychological distress and restrain expression of individual potential. It can easily create anxio-depressive disorders, burnouts, or personality disorders.
“Imposter syndrome” is the name psychologists gave to this phenomenon, when Pauline Glance and Susanne Imes revealed it in 1978. They studied 150 female graduates who had prestigious jobs and were recognised for their skills, but these women did not consider themselves qualified enough.
The term “syndrome” is criticised. Indeed, “syndrome” refers to a disease. However, this syndrome is not in the diagnostical and statistical manual V (DSM IV), which lists all mental disorders. Therefore nowadays, psychologists prefer to speak of a temporal/transient experience. Imposter syndrome is not considered as an illness or a pathology, but rather as a psychological condition.
In order to recognize imposter syndrome on oneself or others, several signs and conducts can be observed:
- To systematically attribute personal success or positive events to an external element
- Lack of self-confidence
- To be extremely perfectionist and over-invested
- To fear being at the center of attention (fear that the “sham” will be exposed)
- To doubt (e.g. spending time trying to understand why you were chosen)
At work this syndrome is manifested by: procrastination (under-investment) or over-investment in the long term to limit the risk of failure as much as possible, over-achievement which can affect physical and mental health.
Regarding the causes of this syndrome, specialists who have studied the subject have found that there are many ones. Specialists report that parental expectations (both academic and professional) are too high. Individuals from middle-class backgrounds are also more likely to feel out of place professionally, as well as people who are in a gender or ethnic minority.
Solutions exist to reduce this syndrome in everyday life, such as relying on other’s benevolent eye, recognising one’s qualities and achievements, and avoiding comparisons with others.
Nevertheless, it is sometimes difficult to follow these advices. Thus, it may be useful to follow therapies in the treatment of imposter syndrome such as CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy), mindfulness meditation, ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), hypnosis, mental imagery. These therapies are used in order to improve patient’s self-esteem, to accept himself, to change his representations and to acknowledge his skills and capacities.
A CBT psychotherapy approach will work, for example, to modify beliefs and dysfunctional behaviours of this syndrome. Cognitive restructuring applied to perfectionism and low self-esteem will be among the therapist’s tools. Psychologist will also help the person to see him or herself as a person in evolution, learning and changing with experience. Therapist will also help the person to perceive his or her skills, strengths and weaknesses, not to devalue him or herself and to regain self-confidence.
Finally, this syndrome is now better understood and mentioned, particularly during university studies, but we still sometimes forget that even as a professional we may have to deal with it for a while. What is important to remember is that it is a normal phenomenon that many people can experience and it is not a pathology.
Here is a video from the online media “Brut” on this imposter syndrome : https://youtu.be/7OecDPBvJCs
Words I have learned :
- imposter syndrome = syndrome de l’imposteur
- sham = imposture
- belief = croyance
- weaknesse = faiblesse
Références :
Chassangre, K., & Callahan, S. (2015). Dealing with self-deprecation: The impostor syndrome. Dunod.</div>Navarre, M. (2020). Where does the impostor syndrome come from? Sciences Humaines, (11), 10-10.
Chassangre, K., & Callahan, S. (2016). Stop being self-deprecating! Freeing yourself from the Impostor Syndrome. Dunod.
Chassangre, K., & Callahan, S. (2017). “I’m successful, I’m lucky… I’ll be found out”: a literature review of impostor syndrome. Psychological Practices, 23(2), 97-110.
Navarre, M. (2020). Where does the impostor syndrome come from? Sciences Humaines, (11), 10-10.