Imposter syndrome, big doubts about one's own abilities

Who doesn't want to be a successful person? Everyone is looking for success in achieving their goals, having a satisfying job, and having a happy life. However, have you ever thought about what you will feel after achieving this success? Feel proud or don't you deserve it? If you end up feeling anxious and inappropriate, you may have imposter syndrome.

Imposter syndrome has many other names. Among them are impostor syndrome, imposter syndrome, or in English fraud syndrome. All these things refer to a psychological phenomenon that many career women experience who have tasted success.

What is imposter syndrome?

Imposter syndrome is a psychological condition in which a person feels he does not deserve the success he has achieved. People with this syndrome actually feel anxious, as if one day people will know that he is just a con artist who has no right to admit all his achievements and successes.

This psychological condition is actually not included in the Guidelines for Classification of the Diagnosis of Mental Disorders (PPDGJ), which means that imposter syndrome is not classified as a mental illness. However, various studies have shown that this syndrome is quite common in society. In addition, this condition is sometimes accompanied by symptoms of anxiety or depression.

The phenomenon of imposter syndrome was first recognized in the 1970s by psychologist Pauline Clance and her colleague Suzzanne Imes. This phenomenon is found in some ambitious people, especially women who tend to distrust their own abilities. Yes, imposter syndrome is a form of doubts about one's own abilities.

Do you have imposter syndrome?

This unique syndrome usually occurs in ambitious people with fairly high standards of success. However, they feel that the achievements they have achieved are not due to their abilities, but simply by chance. As a result, they are afraid that one day people will realize that he is a con artist who really has no abilities.

Symptoms of this syndrome include:

• Worries easily
• Not confident
• Frustrated or depressed when he fails to meet his own standards
• Tends to be perfectionist (demands perfection)

This syndrome is usually found in people who grow up in families who emphasize the importance of achievement.

People who come from a minority (for example in terms of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, education level, or economic background) are also more likely to experience this syndrome.

One more thing, imposter syndrome is also often found in those who have just entered the professional world after completing their studies (fresh graduates or fresh graduate). These new graduates will feel that they do not deserve to be a professional because they feel incompetent, even though they actually have high competence. Therefore, people who have this syndrome often put off work for fear of imperfect work results.

How to deal with it?

If it continues to happen, what is feared is that depression and anxiety can occur. Depression and anxiety disorders, if not resolved, can eventually lead to mental disorders and decreased brain function.

To deal with imposter syndrome, you can consider various important things below.

Nothing is perfect in this world

The person with imposter syndrome must learn not to stick to the high standards or excellence he sets for himself. Realize that everyone doesn't have to be perfect.

sharing knowledge

To determine what your abilities are and how good you are at it, try to share knowledge. When you share your knowledge, be it with your juniors in the office or with anyone, you will realize how little or how much competence you have in that field.

Confide in trusted people

Try to talk and share with friends, family, experts such as psychologists, or maybe your mentor who can recognize imposter syndrome. With confide, You will also be forced to reflect on yourself.