Imposter syndrome is a condition where a person feels like they are unable to adequately perform the task in front of them, no matter how many times they have done it before. If they have done the same task a hundred times before, they will still feel overly anxious about completing it. This can cause problems keeping up with school, work, and personal responsibilities and can lead to a build-up of stress that can be very unhealthy. If left untreated, it can lead to depression, worsening anxiety, and a substance use disorder.
Behavioral Health Jobs is an online database of jobs and career advice for men and women who are interested in a career in the behavioral health industry. Our website is updated daily with new jobs in hospitals, treatment centers, private practices, and government agencies across the country that are eager to find qualified candidates. To aid your job search, we also include tips on resume building, interview etiquette, and other valuable information. If you are interested in finding exciting career opportunities in behavioral health, check out the Behavioral Health Jobs website today.
What Is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter syndrome was originally coined by psychologists Suzanna Imes and Paulina Rose Clance in the 1970s to define a set of conditions that negatively impact performance levels. Individuals with imposter syndrome may feel anxious before starting a task, and this can trigger negative self-talk that convinces them they will fail even before they start. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) does not currently list imposter syndrome as a recognized disorder.
If you suspect you or a friend may struggle with imposter syndrome, here are some of the symptoms of this condition:
- Devaluing your competency and skills
- Associating your success to external factors
- Criticizing your performance
- Believing you can’t live up to personal expectations
- Setting unattainable goals
- Sabotaging your success
Talking with a behavioral therapist can reduce symptoms of imposter syndrome and allow people to excel and reach their career goals. If you are ready to find a new career helping men and women live their best lives, check out Behavioral Health Jobs’ updated job board to begin a new career search.
Tips for Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
According to a report from the Journal of Internal Medicine in 2020, up to 82% of people suffer from some type of imposter syndrome. Symptoms can be from a mild nervous feeling to a full-on panic attack. If you or a friend struggles with this treatable condition, here are some beneficial tips for overcoming imposter syndrome:
- Learn about imposter syndrome – Educating yourself on what imposter syndrome is and how it affects you is the first step in identifying the problem. This includes knowing what type of work, activity, or people triggers your symptoms. Once you know what triggers you, you can learn how to prevent symptoms from worsening and stop future attacks.
- Share your feelings – Talking with a close friend can be very beneficial in easing imposter syndrome symptoms and triggers. They can give you advice about calming techniques they use, like deep breathing exercises or meditation. Plus, it can help you realize that many people struggle with the same insecurities. Talking with a behavioral therapist is a smart option and can teach you coping skills to manage your symptoms.
- Create realistic goals – Oftentimes, someone with imposter syndrome will create unrealistic goals for themselves to self-sabotage their success and happiness. Setting smaller, more realistic goals can lead to completing the final project and significantly reducing the severity of symptoms.
- Acceptance – Learning to accept how certain situations make you feel is an important process for reducing the effects of imposter syndrome. Knowing what to expect from certain situations will improve your ability to handle them with less anxiety, stress, and uncertainty about your performance.
- Exercise – Working out at the end of the day is an excellent way to burn off pent-up energy and get your heart pumping. It will reduce stress, improve sleep patterns, and clear your mind.
Overcoming imposter syndrome can take time, but the effort is well worth it, as doing so will allow you to achieve your career goals much easier. Those who ignore their feelings will continue to struggle at work or school and never fully reach their potential.
Find Exciting Career Opportunities in Behavioral Health at Behavioral Health Jobs
Behavioral Health Jobs is a website dedicated to helping individuals find a new career in the behavioral health industry. Our job board is updated daily with new jobs in administrative, clinical, and technical positions for all experience levels. We also provide job seekers with helpful information to give them the tools they need to land their dream job.
Check out the Behavioral Health Jobs website today to start a new career search.
