Imposter syndrome

What is imposter syndrome?

With imposter syndrome, praise feels undeserved. Every new task feels like the moment you'll be found out. You might overprepare, avoid asking questions, or brush off what you've achieved. It's very common.

Key things to know

Psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes first described it in 1978, calling it the impostor phenomenon. It isn't a mental health diagnosis. It's a thinking pattern linked with perfectionism, anxiety, and low self-esteem. It often shows up in a new job, at college, or anywhere you feel like an outsider.

• It's a thinking pattern, not a diagnosis.
• Success gets put down to luck, and mistakes feel like proof.
• It's linked with perfectionism and low self-esteem.
• Saying it out loud often shows how common it is.
• Write down real feedback so you can look at evidence, not just feelings.

What helps

Talking about it helps, because most people find others feel the same. Keep a record of real feedback and results, so you have evidence to hold against the doubt. CBT can help you catch and test the thoughts behind it. If it comes with ongoing anxiety or low mood, consider seeing a therapist.

How SelfMind can help

SelfMind is an AI companion for everyday mental health support: a private place to talk through what you are feeling, in Hindi, English or Hinglish, at any hour. It is not therapy and not a crisis service; it works alongside professional care, never in place of it. You can try it free, no account needed.

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Meet Your Inner Critic. A short check-in related to imposter syndrome, with a personal result at the end. 2 minutes, free, no signup.

Related terms

• Perfectionism
• Self-esteem
• Inner critic
• Cognitive distortions