It's the feeling that you’ve bluffed your way into your situation or that you are not as talented as everyone believes. You may feel that you don’t deserve the achievements you have accomplished, or that your success was down to luck and that soon, your lack of ability is going to be exposed.
Estimates suggest that more than 70% of successful people have experienced Imposter Syndrome, including Albert Einstein, Meryl Streep, and Maya Angelou. It is a common feeling among students and can be incredibly isolating. We don’t know exactly what causes it, but the pressures of perfectionism, ever increasing social comparisons and a fear of failure all contribute.
Imposter Syndrome is marked by presentations of:
- Self-doubt
- Sense of incompetence
- Frequently comparing yourself to others
- Self-criticism
- Low self-worth
- Immobility
- Stress & burnout
- Difficulty in accepting compliments
- Difficulty in enjoying your accomplishments
You can help yourself and/or help a friend through this
Ideas for getting beyond the Imposter Syndrome
- Be aware of your language choices. If you find yourself thinking you were 'lucky' to receive a place on your course, get a grant or publish a paper, focus on what you did to earn it.
- Make a list of your strengths. Look back at examples of your own successful work or positive reviews, and remind yourself of your own accomplishments.
- Ask your friends, family or partner for support. Talk about your impostor feelings. Maybe spend some time listing each other’s skills and accomplishments as a way to start your own list
- Accept that some tasks will not be done perfectly.
- Connect with a supportive and understanding advisor, mentor, or colleague
- Learn something new or take a module in a topic/area where you think your abilities are weaker. You'll learn what you need — or realize how much you already know.
If you are concerned that you cannot keep yourself safe then please do ask for help.
Further information
Introductory video:
What is imposter syndrome and how can you combat it? - Elizabeth Cox click here to view https://ed.ted.com/lessons/what-is-im...
For inspiration:
Neil Gaiman speaking about success and imposter syndrome
Useful info
Amy Cuddy's TED talk on power poses and imposter syndrome
Article: 'Feel like a fraud?': American Psychological Association
Academic article: Craddock; Birnbaum; Rodriguez; Cobb; Zeeh (2011). "Doctoral students and the impostor phenomenon: Am I smart enough to be here?". Student Affairs Research and Practice. 48. doi:10.2202/1949-6605.6321
What we can do to help
Student Services offers a range of support that includes Wellbeing Advisors, Counsellors, and the Mental Health Advisory Service. To access any of these services contact the Student Advice and Guidance team. This is the entry point to speak to the Wellbeing Advisors, Counsellors, and the Mental Health Advisory Service and all our services are confidential.You can email the team on advice@liverpool.ac.uk, or call 0151 795 1000 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.