Do you feel like a Fraud?

Do you often feel like you did not deserve whatever you have achieved? Be it your college grades, the promotion or the salary hike. Hence, whatever you achieve is the result of Luck, chance or negligence of other people. Do you often find youself stressing out about the fact that you are a fraud; would be exposed someday and all that you achieved would be rightfully taken away from you?

There is a name for these set of negative thoughts that you have. You are suffering from the “ IMPOSTER SYNDROME”.

What is Imposter Syndrome?

Imposter Syndrome is a pattern of Self-Doubt and Anxiety that will make you question your abilities, even when you succeed at something and you will find yourself searching some external validation for your successes. To simplify, it will be difficult for you to recognize and rejoice your accomplishments and strengths.

You will always have a feeling that your achievements are a result of some mysterious Fluke or Luck. They are afraid that unless they make a huge effort next time, they are going to Blow it and never succeed again.

This Syndrome is defined as a set of feelings, including inadequacy, self-doubt, intellectual fraudulence that persists despite proof of competence. However, Imposter syndrome does not equate with lack of Self-confidence or Low Self-Esteem. On the contrary, some researchers have linked it to “ Perfectionism”.

Symptoms of Imposter Syndrome

Although there is no specific Line of diagnosis for this, all mental health professionals have dealt with it. Some Indicators are outlined below

• Difficulty accepting Praise or compliments
•  Discount your success for Luck or mere chance
•  Always overwork even after the project has reached its completion
• Have the compulsive need to be the best
• You are not able to enjoy your successes
• Fear success sometimes
• You always compare your struggles with others
• focus more on what you haven’t done than on what you have done
• You have convinced yourself that you are not enough

If You are suffering from these persistent feelings of being a Fraud, you are not the only one who suffered from these kinds of feelings. Research shows that 70% of people have these feeling at some point in their life. SEEK HELP! Recognise that these thoughts are stopping you from Limitless growth and abundance in Life. You do not have to do everything alone.