The Signs and Symptoms of Imposter Syndrome

You might appear capable and confident on the outside - but inside, it’s a different story. You find yourself second-guessing, wondering if you’re really good enough, or worrying that others are overestimating you.

You might fear that you’ve somehow tricked people into thinking you’re competent - and that it’s only a matter of time before you’re found out.

These thoughts and feelings can be subtle but persistent. And they often come hand-in-hand with things like perfectionism, anxiety, low confidence, overworking, or procrastination.

If you’ve ever felt like a fraud, struggled to accept praise, or pushed yourself relentlessly to prove your worth - you’re not alone.

Common Signs of Imposter Syndrome

💭 Thought Patterns

• “I’m just faking it.”
  You feel like you've fooled others into believing you're more capable than you are - and you’re waiting to be exposed.

• Struggling to own your success.
  You dismiss achievements as luck, good timing, or help from others - not the result of your effort or skill.

• Fear of failure.
  Mistakes feel like proof you’re not good enough - rather than a normal part of learning or growth.

• Dismissing positive feedback.
  Compliments feel uncomfortable. Even when others see your strengths, you doubt them internally.

❤️ Emotional Experiences

• Anxiety and performance pressure.
  A constant sense of needing to do more - worrying whether you’re meeting expectations or falling short.

• Shame and self-doubt.
  A quiet, painful belief that you’re not enough - and that it’s only a matter of time before others realise it.

• Frustration and low mood.
  Achievements bring little satisfaction. You move the goalposts and rarely feel a true sense of accomplishment.

• Emotional exhaustion.
  Keeping up appearances while battling inner doubt can be mentally and physically draining.

🧠 Behaviours That Often Show Up

• Perfectionism.
  Setting unrelentingly high standards - and being self-critical when you inevitably fall short.

• Overworking.
  Pushing yourself to prove you’re capable. You go the extra mile, but it never quite feels like enough.

• Procrastination.
  Putting things off due to fear of not getting it right - or because the pressure to perform feels overwhelming.

• Holding back.
  Avoiding visibility, new opportunities, or speaking up - in case you fail, get judged, or are “found out.”

A Few Things to Remember

🔹 You’re not broken.

Imposter syndrome isn’t a mental health diagnosis - but that doesn’t mean it’s not real, or that it can’t cause significant distress.

🔹 This is a response, not a defect.

Imposter feelings often arise in high-pressure or high-stakes environments. They’re your brain’s way of trying to keep you safe - even if that safety strategy is now outdated or unhelpful.

🔹 You don’t have to do this alone.

Therapy can help you understand what’s behind your imposter thoughts, how they’re maintained, and how to relate to them differently. It’s not about “fixing” yourself - it’s about loosening the grip of self-doubt and building trust in yourself over time.

If any of this resonates, you’re not alone - and things can change.

Other pages on this site explore what keeps these patterns going, why they persist even when we succeed, and how you can begin to shift them with support and compassion.