Imposter Syndrome

Imposter Syndrome is a common psychological phenomenon in which individuals who possess real skills and accomplishments persistently feel like "frauds," believing their success stems not from ability, but from luck, timing, or external help. Despite clear evidence—such as degrees or awards—they fail to internalize their achievements and instead live in fear of being exposed as fundamentally inadequate. It is not a diagnosable mental illness, but rather a cognitive distortion that may affect as many as 70% to 80% of people. Common symptoms include self-doubt, over-preparation or procrastination, fear of both failure and success, and the denial of one's own abilities.