The Impostor Syndrome, sometimes called Impostor Phenomenon or Fraud Syndrome, is a psychological phenomenon in which people are unable to internalize their accomplishments. It is not an officially recognized psychological disorder but has been the subject of numerous books and articles by psychologists and educators.
Regardless of what level of success they may have achieved in their chosen field of work or study or what external proof they may have of their competence, those with the syndrome remain convinced internally they do not deserve the success they have achieved and are actually frauds. Proof of success is dismissed as luck, timing, or as a result of deceiving others into thinking they were more intelligent and competent than they believe themselves to be.
This syndrome was thought to be particularly common among women who are successful in their given careers, but has since been shown to occur for an equal number of men.It is typically associated with academics and is widely found amongst graduate students.
Regardless of what level of success they may have achieved in their chosen field of work or study or what external proof they may have of their competence, those with the syndrome remain convinced internally they do not deserve the success they have achieved and are actually frauds. Proof of success is dismissed as luck, timing, or as a result of deceiving others into thinking they were more intelligent and competent than they believe themselves to be.
This syndrome was thought to be particularly common among women who are successful in their given careers, but has since been shown to occur for an equal number of men.It is typically associated with academics and is widely found amongst graduate students.
Only someone as screwed up as me could be about to create a tragedy from the brink of a triumph. Not even the brink actually. Probably quite well over the line now, but I'm sure I'll be able to drag it back over the threshold again with my rare and special skill.
Having endeavoured, laboured, pushed myself to get out of the submarine, be myself, I am utterly terrified.
I am remembering now, this is why I don't let people get close. This feeling of having taken off all my armour and now just waiting for the arrows to strike, for the sword to run me through, for the crows to come and peck out my eyes.
Sure, I was smart enough to open with my strong suits. I can talk a good line. Trained to pitch myself effectively and point out my established brand presence (another group of people who were easily fooled, huh?) I can appear lively, engaging, interesting, fun - who knows, maybe even sexy? At first. At first.
I got off to a good start - and now there's everything to lose. The good stuff is up and out, nothing new and exciting to discover: all my best bolts are already shot.
All that remains to find out about me is that I am after less interesting than you thought, not as intelligent as I can seem at first, nowhere near as attractive as the initial sparkle of surprise might have indicated.
And so it goes, and so it goes.
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