What is imposter syndrome and how can you deal with it?

What is imposter syndrome and how can you deal with it? I explain the psychology behind imposter phenomenon, how it impacts your self-esteem, and how you can deal with it.

Topics discussed:
* imposter syndrome
* imposter phenomenon

Learn more:

Connect with Ali:

THE PSYCH SHOW! Creating mental health videos that educate, entertain, and empower! Produced, written, and edited by clinical psychologist Ali Mattu, Ph.D. All videos are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute clinical advice.

If you or someone you know needs help immediately, you should take one of the following actions:
- go to your nearest hospital emergency room

[whitemike]

Just curious, are you referring to the Netflix/Vox show on the Mind? I’m assuming you can talk about being in it now or very soon once it releases. Either way, your content is great! Thanks!

[JenniferBrick]

What you bring up about people who look like you in the room is so important across industries. There have been a million times in my tech career I was the only woman in the room, and the internal work is so important.

[sarahpressman]

I was just talking with a student I tutor about my imposter syndrome today! I've got it pretty bad surrounding school: I just graduated magna from a good university and got accepted to a PhD program and I feel like I've somehow fooled them all. I like your suggestion of talking to people in the same boat...I feel like that'll help a lot when I get to grad school. What works for me is thinking about how all these grades and opportunities wouldn't keep happening if I really was a fake. I also try to get comfortable with feeling uncomfortable and just keep swimming! Thanks for the video, you're awesome!!! :D

[SynthApprentice]

Fun fact: early on in his writing career, Neil Gaiman was afraid that someone would find out that he was just making stuff up.

[jeneena]

I really love the advice of Do or Die Vs. taking as a Learning Opportunity!

[BecomingMD]

Thank you for creating this video! I experienced imposter syndrome during this past week, which was my first week of medical school. I shared a video on my channel describing my experience with imposter syndrome and how I responded to it in a positive way.

[emmyvilla]

My husband suffers from this great on and off throughout his career. He is self taught, usually the youngest guy in the room and has climbed the ladder quickly. Every boss and co worker he had had compliments him on his "humbleness" and his incredible worth ethic. The part they don't see is him working extra hours on the weekend in order to learn more, the constant fear that they are going to fire him and his unwillingness to speak up for himself at times because he is worth it. It's a tough mindset to break. He has gotten through most of it with age and the correct mentors in his life at different times.

[daltongrowley]

thank you so much for this video! This is how I feel every time I accept responsibility for anything. Every semester in college made me feel like I was going to be a failure despite getting mostly A's.

[DrAdnan]

I think a lot of med students have imposter syndrome, and I heard it doesn’t go away in residency either.

[tkfaf]

This video was very timely for me so thank you. I have been in the same job/position for 18+ years and its been a long time since I was challenged intellectually. I also have reached a ceiling where I can't progress without a degree & incurring so much student debt just doesn't make sense at this point in my life. An opportunity to be part of a 2 year project came up suddenly and I jumped at the chance to apply. After a very difficult application process, finding out that over 400 people applied for only 75 slots, and not hearing back from them for more than a week, I figured I didn't make the cut. About 30 min before the deadline expired, they did contact me to say I had been accepted. I have been going through nearly all the emotions you mentioned in this video, especially feeling like I just got lucky & the anxiety. I used to have mild-moderate panic attacks when I was in my 20's but I eventually learned how to derail them before it would become incapacitating. What worked in my early 20's isn't working so well now in my late 40's tho. I'm having a lot more trouble keeping the anxiety at bay along with all the other pieces of feeling like an impostor. I was a big fish in a small, comfortable pond & next week I'll be a small worker bee again in a large field. UGH And I'll have all new coworkers which is a stressful thought I'm just started to deal with. I haven't got a lot of advise for anyone because I'm winging it as usual but between preparing for next week I'm also trying to do something relaxing for an hour or two before bed by reading or crocheting a baby blanket for my granddaughter who should be arriving in about a month. It hasn't been helping as much as I would like since the insomnia & nightmares have increased quite a bit this week. Hopefully next week when I actually get started they will ease off. I don't regret taking this new beast of a challenge on but I am so ready for it to be Monday already. Thanks again for giving me some new things to try.

[hamedranjbar]

Great video! It would be cool if you made a video about the Bystander Effect

[ssjgoku]

This is such a powerful video Dr. Mattu. Even with multiple years of clinical experience, I still deal with the imposter syndrome on a daily basis when explaining concepts to clients, questioning what I've been saying for years even if it is best practice and scientifically documented. Even during my podcast, I make sure to have reviewed notes in order to make sure I am not misquoting concepts. I've heard needing 10 years in a particular field makes you an expert, but sometimes I question if we can even become comfortable as a professional.

[WilliamShakspere]

I just discovered your channel and I love what you're creating!
This topic is definitely something I relate to, and your explanations are really helpful

[h.u.e]

Bruh, thanks for going in for us @ min 9. Pressure of Being the ONLY Black male in building (once janitor retired) was huge piece of why I cracked during my PhD pgm @ MSU. Once I withdrew and switched to social work, that piece of imposter syndrome lessened. But definitely get it now that I'm being sought out in museum community around DEAI work. Don't want to mess it up for all of us. Thx for taking on this topic!

[SynthApprentice]

The magic words: "thank you!"

I deal with my imposter syndrome by maintaining the illusion, so to speak. If someone else thinks that my music or art is good, who am I to correct them? This came up when I was actively trying to sell my comics: it doesn't do me any good to tell potential customers that my work really isn't worth the money they're willing to pay for it.

[ip-l]

Great video! Impostor syndrome its really hard when you are in a health related job, i think...the pressure to help others feels big in the shoulders because thats your job. Can be really stressful...i mean, i want to help...to do so i want to be the very best...like no one ever was...

[linkalipski]

I get it, of course, and I resolve it with massive avoidance 😬. Although in my case the root of it is fear of success for the following reason: Growing up, my mother (with untreated BPD) would make my achievements either an extension of her 'you made this but I made you' (stealing away the achievement) or she would assimilate my achievement with 'someday you won't need me, and will leave me' which means suicide (the message growing up was without you I will kill myself). So I have to undo those deeply rooted messages that stir a cycle of emotions (excitement > anxiety > depression) in me. It's really hard. I have cut her and her family off for my well-being (very subtle gaslighting and emotionally abusive family dynamics) so I have the impostor syndrome + the fear of not being believed as competent as my family may manipulate people in believing I'm the impostor.
So for example, I met someone who may be able to help me, with a fellowship, for my project of changing sectioning in mental health hospital. I got excited at first. Then impostor syndrome kicks in so I overthink how to plan and present the subject so that they are no loopholes or blindspot. Then I get excited again about how far it could go, how public it could get. Then I panic because my family or mum could just step forward and claim the success or manipulate the public in a way that no one will see but me. Terrifying.
My long point being: there's often something behind the impostor syndrome in self-worth and self-confidence stemming from our upbringing, experiences of bullying, etc. I believe that being aware of the emotional cycle that comes up, can help alleviate the bothersome anxiety by recontextualising it :).

[gloopsgloops]

I didn’t realize there was a name for it but this is exactly what I experience. It is destroying my life I’m debilitated to such an extreme I’m afraid to do anything. Hearing that 70% of people know this feeling is good but also disheartening that it isn’t diagnosable. I used to go to therapy but I missed an appointment and I can’t bring myself to go back. Any extra resources for this imposter syndrome would be greatly appreciated thank you.

[craigrichardson]

Always love your videos. Feels like a casual conversation between friends

[smaspa]

Thanks for doing this topic! It’s so refreshing to hear these thoughts. I go on air or are interviewed from time to tome and it’s also always the *exact* same as you described. ESP after the fact re: fear of being “outed” by my professional colleagues. So, thanks :)