Imposter Syndrome: You Are Not Alone

When I found out I was accepted into medical school I was ecstatic. It felt like all of my hard work had finally paid off. However, over the ensuing months and before the first day (which was not until the following October, almost 10 months after my acceptance because University of Chicago was on the quarter system), I began to doubt my admission.

This was before there were social media platforms and when most correspondence was still by U.S mail, so I did not hear much for several months. This led me to believe that either I was not really accepted or that, if I was accepted, it was due to an admissions mistake.

During first-year orientation, this topic came up, and I was surprised (and relieved) to learn that many of us had the exact same thoughts - the women more than the men, but many of my male peers had it too. I later learned that this feeling of not really belonging; not feeling accepted; not believing one is capable of something others know they are capable of; and/or believing one’s accomplishments are due to luck and not to their own ability is known as “imposter syndrome” or “imposter phenomenon” and it is more common in women and non-binary individuals than in men.

This Time magazine article explains the phenomenon really well. In the article, a paper from Joe Langford and Pauline Rose Clance is cited explaining the “Imposter Phenomenon” and how it is prevalent in both women and men. The authors explain that many who experience imposter syndrome are driven by the need to look good to others and are extremely concerned about the opinions of others toward them.

I have many patients in my practice - both men and women - who have expressed feelings of not being good enough and feeling like they may be “found out.” This feeling could be an innate character trait for some, but for many others it is a product of the environment they grew up in. If they learned from caregivers or others growing up that nothing they did was quite good enough, it is difficult for them as adults to believe in their own achievements and abilities. This can lead to workaholism, anxiety, depression, and general dissatisfaction. In my experience, people with imposter syndrome are highly intelligent and educated but have difficulty emotionally appreciating their own talent, success and innate intelligence.

A BBC article from June 24, 2020 explains why imposter syndrome hits women, especially women of color, harder than men. It is much more difficult to believe in one’s success if all the role models or mentors are of a different gender, sexual orientation or color. In addition, people who are oppressed in society have a harder time going against the narrative that society has taught them … that they are not as capable or as deserving. Even in the face of success, with the backdrop of racism or oppression, self-doubt is more likely to ensue.

Being aware of this syndrome and realizing that it could be a product of socialization and training can be a good first step toward working on attaining more self-confidence, self-esteem, and, ultimately, more life satisfaction. For me it was helpful to learn that many of my peers in medical school had felt the same way. Community and family support can also be helpful. And don’t hesitate to seek out professional treatment for any feelings of anxiety, hopelessness and depression that can often accompany Imposter Syndrome.