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Feeling like a fraud? Come on let’s talk about imposter syndrome!

Imagine you just aced a test but you’re convinced it was simply luck not your effort and dedication. Don’t worry if you felt like a fake, you’re not alone, you might be dealing with imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome also known as impostor phenomenon or impostorism is a psychological phenomenon in which a person suffers from feeling of fraudulence and have a constant fear of being exposed as a fraud. Although it’s not a formal disorder, it’s a common mental health experience. This syndrome manifests in different types such as: The Perfectionist, The Superhuman, The Natural Genius, The Soloist, and The Expert being the most popular/prominent ones.


This syndrome manifests in teen due to many factors, pressure especially is most prominent. Adolescents are under immense pressure both academically and socially. They are practically thrown into new a new environment such as Starting high school, joining clubs, leadership roles while figuring out what they want to do with their life. it is especially harder for BIPOC, LGBTQ+, first-gen students feel added pressure to prove themselves.


A study involving adolescents aged 12-17 found that over 35% reported frequent to intense imposter feelings, with girls scoring significantly higher than boys, Parenting styles such as authoritarian also have a high impact. The worst part is that it simply doesn’t magically go away as grow older like some people believe. A study of Indian college students and another study on medical students found that around half of the sample exhibited high levels of imposter syndrome. Even doctors, CEOs and celebrities such as Emma Watson, Tom Hanks have reported experiencing imposter syndrome.


Some ways to deal with imposter syndrome are:


1 Recognize the thought process


2 Keep a “wins” journal (it is hard to recognize how much you have accomplished until it is written for you to see clearly)


3 Share your feelings with a trusted adult or friend.


4 Reframe your mistakes: They’re an important part of learning, not proof of failure.


5 Good enough really is good enough, realizing you don’t need to be perfect is so important.


If these feelings are constant, draining and negatively impacting your mental health. Please consult a professional such as your school counselor, a therapist or even mental health apps can be a great help.  


If you’re reading this and thinking “but not me” ,yes, you too. You belong. You’re not a fraud. Your success is real. You deserve every good thing coming your way What would you tell a friend who felt like a fraud? Say it to yourself right now.



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