Imposter syndrome — the persistent fear of being 'found out' as less capable than others believe — frequently co-occurs with and amplifies psych careers.
The Psych Careers-Imposter Syndrome Cycle
- Psych Careers undermines confidence, making imposter thoughts more frequent and believable
- Imposter syndrome creates chronic self-doubt that worsens psych careers
- Overwork and perfectionism (imposter coping strategies) deplete resources needed to manage psych careers
Who Gets Imposter Syndrome with Psych Careers?
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 psych careers is also common.
Breaking the Psych Careers-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 psych careers