In 1978, psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes studied a new term: they named it the imposter phenomenon, also more recently referred to as imposter syndrome. Their studies mainly focused on women, who were so-called “high achievers.” In later research, it has been determined that it is experienced across all genders and demographics.

Imposter syndrome is when a person has either mild or severe self-doubt about their skills, talents, or capabilities. Simply put, the person believes that they are not capable of performing their tasks well at work. But it is far more sinister than that, as the internal dialogue can be very volatile and draining. Internal mantras such as “I am useless,” “I am an idiot and soon everyone will find out and then I will be fired!” and “I constantly make mistakes, someday they will punish me for it.”

The severity may vary and often correlates with anxiety and depression, adding to an already ballooning mental load. I don’t know if any studies have been made on imposter syndrome prevalence and ADHD or autism, but it could be interesting to know.

I, myself, was diagnosed with ADHD and general anxiety in the later part of 2024, and suddenly many experiences in my life made sense. But I also realized that I had an unwelcome companion, which is usually in connection with my anxiety in work-related terms, yes, it is imposter syndrome. For me, it usually starts by realizing I have made a mistake, and the internal dialogue starts: “It is just because I am so dumb!” “How did I not notice that? I’m such an idiot.” and “People around me are way smarter, and they probably all know I’m useless.” It is ruthless negative self-perception. In my experience, it appears especially when there is high tension at work, overwhelm, or a sudden change in work structure.

For me, it helps to recognize it and repeatedly stop the intrusive negative self-talk, but most of all it really helps sharing these thoughts with friends and colleagues I feel safe sharing them with. If the self-doubt is all-consuming, seek professional help, as there could be underlying conditions that needs to be addressed.

Imposter syndrome is rarely mentioned when we speak about mental health in the workplace, but it is estimated that about 70% will at some point in their lives experience some degree of imposter syndrome (Brevata et al, 2019).

I also wonder if it could, in some instances, be a precursor for burnout and stress. If so, maybe it would be time to address it and find tools to minimize the impact, and perhaps more people would feel empowered by what they’re capable of.

If you struggle with imposter syndrome, you’re not alone. I’m sure you’re doing the best you can, and that the flaws you see are tiny in comparison to what you have truly accomplished!