Confidence and Impostor Syndrome
Low confidence and Impostor Syndrome aren’t just about doubting your abilities; it’s they are complex feeling where you believe you’re not as competent as others perceive you to be. Despite evident success, people with low confidence and Impostor Syndrome attribute their accomplishments to luck rather than ability, and fear that others will eventually unmask them as a fraud.
If these feelings are interfering with your confidence and preventing you from advancing, talking to a psychologist like myself can help you navigate these feelings and rediscover your self-worth.
Symptoms of Low Confidence and Impostor Syndrome
Low confidence and Impostor Syndrome can manifest in various ways, impacting your personal and professional life. Symptoms include:
- Persistent self-doubt
- Fear of not meeting expectations
- Sabotaging one's own success
- Overworking to cover up perceived inadequacies
- Feeling undeserving of success
- Fear of failure and exposure as a fraud
- Difficulty accepting praise and recognition
Getting Help with Low Confidence and Impostor Syndrome
Addressing low confidence and Impostor Syndrome can lead to a more fulfilling professional life and a greater sense of personal achievement. Understanding the underlying causes of your doubts and fears can significantly ease these feelings.
Why Seek Help?
Often, Impostor Syndrome and low confidence are avoidance behaviours. We doubt ourselves or attack ourselves as a way of avoiding experiencing something else coming up in side of us. For example, it is incredibly common for people with Impostor Syndrome or low confidence to have had experiences being criticised at home, school or work. If people experience anxiety facing their emotions towards the people who have criticised them it is quite common for people’s minds to (unconsciously) side with the criticisms as a way of avoiding the anxiety and other emotions.
How I Can Help
Working together, we can explore the roots of your Impostor Syndrome and low confidence, including any related experiences and the context in which your feelings developed. We can develop strategies to reinforce your genuine achievements and cultivate a robust sense of self-confidence.
Services and Resources to Help You with Impostor Syndrome
Here are some local resources and strategies to consider:
Consulting a Psychologist: As a psychologist working in Melbourne, I often help individuals understand and overcome Impostor Syndrome and low confidence.
Self-Help Resources: For those experiencing milder forms of Impostor Syndrome, self-help resources can be beneficial:
Centre for Clinical Interventions: This website has self-help modules on self-esteem that can help with impostor syndrome and low confidence.
If you’re struggling with feelings of being an impostor or with low confidence, help is available. By working together, we can address your concerns and help you feel more confident and secure in your achievements.
I hope this information encourages you to take the first step towards overcoming Impostor Syndrome and building a more confident self-image.
