Psychological pattern in which people doubt their accomplishments and have a persistent, often internalized fear of being exposed as a “fraud.” – en.wikipedia.org

I’ve had it all my life.

I had it in high school. I thought surely I received good grades because of my good looks, not my exceptional brain.

Maybe it was because I was wildly popular with both the other students as well as the school faculty.

Maybe parts of the faculty also suffered from the syndrome.

Maybe it was because my mom was also on that school faculty, even though a different grade level entirely.

Through college, and into adult life it was the same. The successes I enjoyed were obviously because people had simply not looked closely enough.

Actually my theories were poorly-thought out pieces of garbage that could never be proven or supported. My books were rushed, less-than-thorough, and unpopular.

I was always felt more anxious to complete my books than to research them.

So there you see. I know what I am talking about.

Further, Wikipedia expanded…

Occurrence

The feeling of being a fraud that surfaces in impostor phenomenon is not uncommon. It has been estimated that nearly 70% of individuals will experience signs and symptoms of impostor phenomenon at least once in their life. This can be a result of a new academic or professional setting. Research shows that impostor phenomenon is not uncommon for students who enter a new academic environment. Feelings of insecurity can come as a result of an unknown, new environment. This can lead to lower self-confidence and belief in their own abilities.

Settings

Impostor phenomenon can occur in other various settings. Some examples include:
– A new environment
– Academic settings
– In the workplace
– Social interaction

Relationships (platonic or romantic)

In relationships, people with impostorism often feel they do not live up to the expectations of their friends or loved ones. It is common for the individual with impostorism to think that they must have somehow tricked others into liking them and wanting to spend time with them. They experience feelings of being unworthy, or of not deserving the beneficial relationships they possess.

There is empirical evidence that demonstrates the harmful effects of impostor phenomenon in students. Studies have shown that when a student’s academic self-concept increases, the symptoms of impostor phenomenon decrease, and vice versa. The worry and emotions the students held, had a direct impact of their performance in the program.

Common facets of impostor phenomenon in the class-room include:

Students compared themselves to their class-mates

Students did not feel prepared academically when they compared themselves to their class-mates

Students often questioned the grounds on which they were accepted into the program

Students perceived that positive recognition, awards, and good grades stemmed from external factors, not from personal ability or intelligence.

Cokley et al. investigated the impact impostor phenomenon has on students, specifically ethnic minority students. They found that the feelings the students had of being fraudulent resulted in psychological distress.

Ethnic minority students often questioned the grounds on which they were accepted into the program. They held the false assumption that they only received their acceptance due to affirmative action—rather than an extraordinary application and qualities they had to offer.^[

-Wikipedia

So, What’s a Person to DO?

1. Realize that nobody completely knows what they are doing.

2. Faking things actually does work.

3.  Nobody Belongs Here More Than You.

4. Remember: being wrong doesn’t make you a fake

5. Stop comparing yourself to another person.

6. Focus on providing value.

7. Accept that you have had SOME role in your successes.