Struggling with imposter syndrome? You're not alone, and you’re not imagining it. Imposter syndrome isn’t a formal mental health diagnosis, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a real and serious issue. If you find yourself constantly doubting your abilities, dismissing your achievements, or feeling like a fraud, it may be holding you back in more ways than you realise.
In this blog, we’ll explore what imposter syndrome is, why it matters even though it’s not in diagnostic manuals, and how therapy can help you move forward.
What Is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter syndrome refers to a pattern of self-doubt and fear of being exposed as not good enough, even when there’s clear evidence of your competence.
Common signs of imposter syndrome include:
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Believing your success is down to luck, not ability
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Feeling like you’ve tricked others into thinking you’re more capable than you are
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Worrying that you’ll be “found out” as a fraud
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Overworking or aiming for perfection to avoid being exposed
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Avoiding opportunities due to fear of failure or not feeling “ready”
These imposter feelings can trigger unhelpful patterns like procrastination, burnout, self-criticism, and playing small—especially in high-pressure, high-achieving environments.
Why Isn’t Imposter Syndrome a Mental Health Diagnosis?
Even though imposter syndrome is common and distressing, it isn’t classified as a diagnosable mental health condition in the ICD-10 or DSM-5. Here’s why:
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It overlaps with other issues like anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem
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It’s often situational, emerging in response to new roles, promotions, or performance pressure
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It’s about thought patterns, not a broader psychiatric condition
But just because it’s not a disorder doesn’t mean it isn’t interfering with your mental health or quality of life.
The Real-World Impact of Imposter Syndrome
Imposter syndrome can affect how you think, feel, and behave - at work, in relationships, and within yourself. You might:
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Hold back from applying for jobs or promotions
- Keep Changing jobs out of fear of getting "found out"
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Push yourself too hard to “prove” your worth
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Feel anxious in performance situations
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Struggle to enjoy your achievements
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Experience stress, burnout, or low self-worth
You don’t need a formal diagnosis to justify getting support. If it’s affecting your wellbeing, that’s enough.
Therapy for Imposter Syndrome
Although imposter syndrome isn’t a recognised diagnosis, therapy can still be a powerful and effective way to work through it.
I work with people who feel like they’re not good enough, even when they’re doing well on paper. Together, we explore:
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The unhelpful beliefs and thinking patterns that feed imposter syndrome
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How past experiences may be influencing how you see yourself now
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New ways of relating to imposter feelings—so they no longer run the show
Approaches like CBT, ACT, CFT, and EMDR can all be helpful when working with self-doubt, perfectionism, and fear of failure.
You Don’t Need a Label to Get Support
The most important thing isn’t whether your experience has a name—it’s whether it’s getting in the way of how you want to live.
If imposter syndrome is holding you back, there is support available. You can learn to recognise these patterns, respond differently, and begin to trust your abilities—without constantly needing to prove yourself.
Final Thoughts
Imposter syndrome might not be a formal mental health diagnosis, but it’s a very real problem that affects many high-achieving, capable people. You don’t have to wait until it gets worse. If you’re tired of feeling like a fraud and want to break free from self-doubt, therapy can help.