Content
Impostor syndrome, also called defensive pessimism, is a psychological disorder that, although not classified as a mental illness, is widely studied. The symptoms manifested are usually the same symptoms that are also found in other disorders such as depression, anxiety and low self-esteem, for example.
This syndrome is very common in people who have competitive professions, such as athletes, artists and entrepreneurs or in professions in which people are evaluated and tested at all times, such as in the areas of health and education, and it usually affects the most insecure and insecure people. that internalize criticisms and failures.
However, anyone can develop this syndrome, and at any age, being more common when one is in a position to be the target of performance judgments, such as when receiving a promotion at work or starting a new project.
How to identify
People who suffer from imposter syndrome usually exhibit 3 or more of the following behaviors:
1. Need to try too hard
The person with impostor syndrome believes that he needs to work hard, much more than other people, to justify his achievements and because he thinks he knows less than others. Perfectionism and overwork are used to help justify performance, but it causes a lot of anxiety and burnout.
2. Self-sabotage
People with this syndrome believe that failure is inevitable and that at any moment someone experienced will unmask it in front of others. So, even without realizing it, you may prefer to try less, avoiding spending energy for something that you believe will not work and reducing the chances of being judged by other people.
3. Defer tasks
These people can always be putting off a task or leaving important appointments until the last moment. It is also common to take maximum time to fulfill these obligations, and all of this is done with the aim of avoiding the time to be evaluated or criticized for these tasks.
4. Fear of exposure
It is common for people with imposter syndrome to always run away from moments when they can be assessed or criticized. The choice of tasks and professions are often based on those in which they will be less noticeable, avoiding being subject to evaluations.
When evaluated, they demonstrate a great capacity to discredit the achievements obtained and the praise of other people.
5. Comparison with others
Being a perfectionist, demanding with yourself and always thinking that you are inferior or know less than others, to the point of taking all your merit, are some of the main characteristics of this syndrome. It can happen that the person thinks he is never good enough in relation to others, which generates a lot of anguish and dissatisfaction.
6. Wanting to please everyone
Trying to make a good impression, striving for charisma and the need to please everyone, at all times, are ways of trying to achieve approval, and for that you can even subject yourself to humiliating situations.
In addition, the person with impostor syndrome goes through periods of great stress and anxiety because he believes that, at any time, more capable people will replace or unmask him. Thus, it is very common for these people to develop symptoms of anxiety and depression.
What to do
In the event that characteristics of impostor syndrome are identified, it is important that the person undergoes psychotherapy sessions to help the person internalize his / her abilities and skills, reducing the feeling of being a fraud. In addition, some attitudes can help control the symptoms of this syndrome, such as:
- Have a mentor, or someone more experienced and trustworthy to whom you can ask for sincere opinions and advice;
- Share concerns or anxieties with a friend;
- Accept your own defects and qualities, and avoid comparing yourself to others;
- Respect your own limitations, not setting unattainable goals or commitments that cannot be met;
- Accept that failures happen to anyone, and seek to learn from them;
- Having a job you like, providing motivation and satisfaction.
Carrying out activities capable of relieving stress and anxiety, improving self-esteem and promoting self-awareness, such as yoga, meditation and physical exercises, in addition to investing in leisure time are very useful for the treatment of this type of psychological alteration.