Imposterism, Perfectionism, and Burnout – A Toxic Triad

Imposterism, perfectionism, and burnout, often occur together and can leave devastating effects of depression and anxiety. In this video, I define it for you and show you what you can do to make it better.

Reference
Bravata DM, Watts SA, Keefer AL, et al. Prevalence, Predictors, and Treatment of Impostor Syndrome: a Systematic Review. J Gen Intern Med. 2020;35(4):1252-1275. doi:10.1007/s11606-019-05364-1

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Disclaimer: All of the information on this channel is for educational purposes and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice from me to you. Watching the videos or getting answers to comments/question, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have your own doctor, perhaps these videos can help prepare you for your discussion with your doctor.

[eternalearth]

I can't express the perfect timing of this Dr. Marks! Thank you for what you do and please make sure to take care of yourself too as you create more educational videos!!

[michellecrawbuck]

This brought me to tears. We do all have hurt. I'm not alone. I'm not weird because I feel this way.

[NootalieWalf]

You mentioned the tendency to overwork to try and achieve unreasonable self expectations, but I think there’s another side to it. There’s probably a real term for it, but I just call it invisible paralysis; when you know you’ll never reach those expectations, so you give up before even attempting whatever it is, aborting the action when it’s still just an idea. Total futility mindset. It certainly makes it hard to get things done and progress forward.

[AmbiguousAnthony]

Thank you Auntie Tracey for this video! I been struggling with this feeling, being a black man in cyber security trying to pretend I know everything and do everything. This really helps. God bless you!

[meowcat]

Graduated top of class and placed 6th on the national boards in my country but quit my veterinary practice after a few months. Now refusing to work. I felt incompetent and bullied.

[natalie_nazar]

I really like the, “We all struggle with stress or hurt” statement to help cope with stress, imposter syndrome, etc. My motto for coping has always been, “This, too, shall pass”, but I think I prefer the former statement because it emphasizes that I am not alone, which helps. Thanks for your videos.

[rtoriq]

Believe it or not, I realized I really needed to SEE what self-compassion and self-love REALLY looks like, so this was very very helpful. Thank you. I will be practicing those steps more.

[putindovboyob]

I’m from Ukraine, and I’m an artist. In 2022 It was VERY hard to me to do something. I saw how my colleagues draw war-themed arts and they had a lots of likes and shares and so on. And they were a bit “happy” because they can make throw their feelings in art.

And I can’t. All I did this year is cried, and when I can’t cry I just layed all day in a bed.

I’m jealous, that others can spread their feelings and do great arts, but I can’t do that.

So I started to feed stray cats and this like woke me up. I feel so much love and care for them, and for me too

[Catlily]

This is why I dropped out of college.
I missed about half of high school because I was in psychiatric hospitals. So I felt like I had to prove myself in college and got very perfectionistic. I couldn't turn in my papers on time. I had to drop out.

[smethwicks]

Admittedly, I had not linked all these phenomena together, though I have seen them occurring simultaneously to many young professionals in very demanding jobs. Things make sense in a different way now, thanks for giving me this perspective!
I am currently reading Dr. Neff's book "Fierce self-compassion", and I feel that it is helping me with my slump and unreasonable expectations in the last bit of my thesis. My procrastination is getting better, and I don't feel as discouraged at the end of a work day, when I evaluate my progress. I also feel more comfortable opening up to peers about what I perceive as shortcomings and challenges that only I face. Every time that my belief that I am "terminally unique" is proven wrong, I come back to the realization that everyone struggles, and I'm part of that lot.

[purplechili]

I loved this video so much.
One of my own lines (that didn't know that is an approach) is "I am enough".
Makes me more in touch with reality and myself.
Thank you Dr Marks <3

[RelaxwithRi_ASMR]

I struggle with ADHD and I have lots of these symptoms as well..your videos always help me to figure myself out a little better as well as implement mindful practices that help yield positive results. Thank you!

[محب-الخير]

Seeing people on social media achieving things I can't do, makes me feel that I'm nothing and my work and everything I have done is useless. And then I feel depressed, fall in despair and don't do anything.

[harvelle]

Dr. Tracey, you are the "Bomb" Thank

[SamiraJay]

This triad has me in a chokehold at work. I've really working been on this & this video definitely helps! I need to write these steps down... especially this week! 🙏🏾 thank you!

[thereformedrayray]

As an American Black Man..having to “code switch” a lot at work, this resonates with me. Thank you 🙏🏿

[Uthando-hq]

Please make a series about this it is so fascinating and in South Africa as a formaly oppressed black majority this is quiet common in our working class even in the legal fraternity.

[marwansal]

Dr. Marks, I wish you had your channel, and the resources offered via youtube in general years ago, when I was in school then, college. Thank you so much.

[bantubrat]

Wow I was just thinking about imposter syndrome and if I had it. Siri is now reading minds

[jeremiahthompson]

Thanks so much for your videos. They are helping improve my life. I live in Nigeria and i have complained by ADHD but the experts have called me an underachiever because ADHD is something only children endure