Cottage Health Psychiatric Grand Rounds: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
Presentation Description: The Imposter Phenomenon, now often called Imposter Syndrome, is the persistent belief that one is not as clever, qualified, capable, talented or as cool as other people think they are, despite evidence to the contrary. Accomplishments are attributed to external factors—like luck or help from others. It’s feeling like a fraud and living with the fear of being exposed as one. These beliefs lead to increased stress and anxiety, reduced confidence, and avoidance of risk, including meeting new people, applying for a job, or seeking a promotion. The purpose of this presentation is threefold: 1) describe what it feels like to “have imposter syndrome,” and discuss its prevalence among diverse populations, 2) to examine external (e.g., systemic oppression, tokenism) and internal (e.g., internalized isms, stereotype threat) sources of the thoughts and feelings that drive this phenomenon, and 3) identify strategies that foster empowerment and resilience, promote self-assurance, and deplete the hindering effects of imposter syndrome by using psychological tenets and practices.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
• Define imposter phenomenon/syndrome (IP/IS)
• Distinguish between external and internal sources of IP/IS
• Identify strategies for overcoming imposter/phenomenon syndrome