This is how impostor syndrome uses success against us.

In people with imposter syndrome, success and effort have a damaging "rebound effect".

The impostor syndrome is a psychological phenomenon that leads some people to have a distorted view of their own merits and abilities. In fact, you could almost say that it causes success itself to be seen as a problem. Let's see what it looks like.

What is it like to experience imposter syndrome?

The impostor syndrome is characterized by a pattern of behavior that has as a characteristic the existence of doubts about one's own abilities, fear of failure and low expectations of the results of one's own projects.. It usually occurs at the onset of challenges to which the person attaches value, such as a new job, being a first-time parent, starting a business, receiving an award, etc.

Although impostor syndrome is not a disorder as such recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), it is estimated that approximately 70% of people have experienced this phenomenon at some time.

Generally, people with this syndrome may consider that others unreasonably magnify or overestimate one's own achievementsHence, they think that they are impostors. Thus, they believe that they are not worthy of the recognition that others (friends, bosses, etc.) give them and show concern that others might discover that they are not as intelligent or skilled as they might appear to be.

Their strange relationship with success

As a mechanism, people with impostor syndrome may attribute their success or ability to luck, chance, charisma, or simply being in the right place at the right time.. In short, they tend to focus on something other than themselves when it comes to explaining their success and recognition, believing that they do not measure up. These feelings described may lead the person to work even harder and increase their effort for fear of being unmasked, which may lead to greater success and a reversal of initial beliefs and feelings.

The pattern described is not associated with a high rate of failure or a history of unanticipated results, but rather the opposite. Despite the fact that the person can count on the recognition of merits and achievements in certain competencies, the associated feeling when facing new challenges is quite different. The perception of self-efficacy, self-concept, the social dimension and high self-demand seem to be related to this phenomenon.

What can be done about it from Psychology?

One of the tests to evaluate impostor syndrome is the CIPS, developed by Pauline Clance.. The questionnaire evaluates the concern about being a fraud and doubts about one's own ability and intelligence. It also inquires about the attribution of merit and the inability or difficulty in accepting praise and recognition for good results.

However, as with most mental health disorders and issues, it is difficult for the person to recognize these symptoms and to seek psychological help. Some of the statements with which the person with this tendency could identify himself/herself are as follows:

• "It can give the impression that I am smarter than I look."
• "I am afraid of not meeting the expectations of others."
• "I tend to remember more of the times I have failed compared to the situations in which I succeeded."
• "I have a hard time acknowledging compliments or praise for my accomplishments."
• "I worry about not successfully completing my tasks or projects, even though others tell me I am capable."

In therapy, working on self-evaluations, self-efficacy, perfectionismamong other areas, can help the person to accept and value his or her achievements, reducing the negative feelings described. Knowing and elaborating on this issue could bring benefits to life satisfaction and have a positive impact on academic and work environments. Therefore, when faced with impostor syndrome contacting psychologists is a recommendable option.

Bibliographical references:

• Jiménez, E. F., & Moreno, J. B. (2000). El pesimismo defensivo y el síndrome del impostor: análisis de sus componentes afectivos y cognitivos. Revista de Psicopatología y Psicología Clínica, 5(2), 115-130.
• Bogiaizian, D. (2018). Síndrome del Impostor y Ansiedad.
• Chrisman, S. M., Pieper, W. A., Clance, P. R., Holland, C. L., & Glickauf-Hughes, C. (1995). Validation of the Clance imposter phenomenon scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 65(3), 456-467.
• Vergauwe, J., Wille, B., Feys, M., De Fruyt, F., & Anseel, F. (2015). Fear of being exposed: The trait-relatedness of the impostor phenomenon and its relevance in the work context. Journal of Business and Psychology, 30(3), 565-581