Imposter syndrome — the persistent fear of being 'found out' as less capable than others believe — frequently co-occurs with and amplifies conversion therapy.
The Conversion Therapy-Imposter Syndrome Cycle
- Conversion Therapy undermines confidence, making imposter thoughts more frequent and believable
- Imposter syndrome creates chronic self-doubt that worsens conversion therapy
- Overwork and perfectionism (imposter coping strategies) deplete resources needed to manage conversion therapy
Who Gets Imposter Syndrome with Conversion Therapy?
Imposter syndrome is most common in high achievers and in people from underrepresented groups in their field. It's particularly prevalent in academic and professional contexts where conversion therapy is also common.
Breaking the Conversion Therapy-Imposter Cycle
- Keep an evidence file: Document compliments, successes, positive feedback
- Separate feelings from facts: Feeling like an imposter doesn't make you one
- Normalize it: Imposter syndrome is nearly universal among high achievers
- Therapy: CBT effectively addresses both imposter syndrome and conversion therapy