Today, I am going to talk about a mental health condition called Impostor Syndrome, a psychological phenomenon that affects many people, both young and old. Despite having all the necessary abilities, a person suffering from this condition struggles to succeed in various areas of life. Let me share some insights about Impostor Syndrome that you may not be aware of. I encourage you to read this blog fully, as I will also show you how to easily overcome Impostor Syndrome.
What is “Impostor Syndrome”?
Impostor Syndrome is a mental health disorder in which a person doubts themselves about every small thing (source). A person suffering from this condition may complete any task, but still feel that something is lacking in what they’ve done. Even though these individuals are often very capable, they feel they lack qualities that stand out compared to others.
These people work hard to achieve success, but they lack confidence in their abilities and fear they won’t succeed, which leads to repeated failures. This condition is most commonly seen in students and young people. In simple terms, Impostor Syndrome is the lack of faith in oneself and one’s own abilities.
What are the common symptoms of Impostor Syndrome?
I will briefly explain what people suffering from Impostor Syndrome are like and highlight the common symptoms they experience. Please read this carefully. If you or any of your friends or family members, whether young or old, exhibit these symptoms, share this article with them so they can better understand and overcome this mental health issue.
• A person suffering from this syndrome constantly doubts themselves and the work they have done.
• They are often afraid that, one day, others will perceive them as a “fraud.” This fear leads them to over-explain their actions, both big and small, without being asked.
• They struggle to recognize their own strengths and consistently downplay their achievements. Despite working harder than necessary to prove themselves, they remain uncertain about whether they will succeed.
• They are often paralyzed by the fear of failure, avoiding even small challenges by coming up with excuses.
Why are most of today’s youths and students suffering from Impostor Syndrome?
Today’s students and young people spend less time in real life and more time on social media. Many people on these platforms share only selected highlights of their success—like a big car, a luxurious lifestyle, a good job, or a beautiful girlfriend. But this is not the whole truth of their lives; it’s just a carefully chosen part they display online.
Students and young people who spend more time on social media often keep viewing such profiles and gradually start comparing themselves with these so-called successful individuals. They feel they are not as successful as their peers on social media, even though that may not reflect reality.
The impact of social media on mental health and the pressure of academic expectations lead to imposter syndrome among youth and students (source). As a result, many begin to doubt themselves over small things and slowly fall into burnout or mental stress—often unnoticed by their families.
How to Overcome Impostor Syndrome: Real-World Tips
1) Recognize the syndrome and accept it.
Many people are not aware of Impostor Syndrome, but recognizing this pattern is very important. First, you should identify the signs of Impostor Syndrome and accept that it is something you’re experiencing.
2) Talk about the syndrome with people close to you.
Understand that you are not alone—many successful people have struggled with Impostor Syndrome. If you feel like you’re experiencing it, talk openly with a close friend or trusted family member. You can also speak with a counsellor or therapist if needed.
3) Create a “victory journal.”
Record every small or big success you achieve in a notebook—anything that makes you feel like you’ve made progress or gained confidence. Writing down positive moments and reviewing them regularly can shift your mindset and boost your self-esteem.
4) Stop comparing yourself to others.
What you see on others’ social media profiles is just a highlight reel, not the full picture. Much of what appears online can be exaggerated or even fake. Some of those people may be more unhappy than you in real life. So, stop comparing yourself to others and instead focus on your own goals and how to achieve them.
5) Learn to say “yes” to opportunities.
Impostor Syndrome fills the mind with self-doubt, making it hard to act with confidence. If you struggle with this, start saying “yes” to challenges—even if you fail.
The act of trying will boost your confidence. Don’t run away from challenges; instead, say “yes” and do your best to complete them.
6) Don’t be discouraged by failure—use it to build confidence.
Failure can be a great teacher. Many people feel defeated when they fail, but you shouldn’t. According to a research article by Wharton IDEAS Lab, having Impostor Syndrome thoughts can sometimes improve interpersonal performance (source). Learn from your failures so that success will come more easily in the future. Never let yourself believe that you can’t succeed—because that mindset will prevent you from even trying.
Change Your Mindset:
Impostor syndrome is a mental illness. To get rid of it, you need to change your mindset, which is easy, such as:
• Before doing any work, think that you have the full capability to complete the task.
• Instead of doubting yourself, trust yourself—even if you fail. Trust gives us the courage to move forward, while doubt holds us back.
• If you make mistakes, do not regret them; remember that making mistakes is a part of being human. No one in the world has succeeded without making mistakes or stumbling.
• Keep moving forward while learning, because no one is perfect.
What to Do to Bring Positive Change in Mental Health?
• Use a mindfulness app.
• Journal every small progress and positive thing in a notebook, and read them again and again.
• If you feel you are suffering from Impostor Syndrome, you can get help from a therapy platform.
• There are many podcasts or YouTube videos that can help you get out of Impostor Syndrome.
Final Thoughts:
Impostor Syndrome is a mental illness that won’t go away with medicine but will go away by changing your mindset. It may take time to recover from this, but we must not give up. If you change your thinking, you can get out of this syndrome.
