ADHD and Imposter Syndrome

ADHD and Imposter Syndrome

The term “Impostor Syndrome” was coined in 1978 by clinical psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes. People who struggle to acknowledge their accomplishments are said to be high achievers.

A person suffering from Impostor Syndrome is always concerned that someone will discover their dishonesty. The achievements of these individuals do not result from fraud, of course; they are the direct result of the labor they have put in.

The connection between ADHD and Imposter Syndrome

Imposter Syndrome is a problem for many ADHD sufferers. Because they may conceal their struggles from the public eye, they may already feel like imposters. Their manager and coworkers are aware of their intelligence and success. But they know that to achieve such achievements, they must work harder than anyone else in the office. They put in all-nighters to achieve deadlines and make personal sacrifices, such as spending less time with their families.

They may have severe anxiety when faced with challenging obstacles or objectives due to their struggles. This can cause them to make decisions that unduly restrict their employment options. Feelings of shame and guilt can result from keeping a part of yourself hidden. This inspires worry about what would happen if others found out.

Impostor Syndrome Signs and Symptoms

Here are a few Imposter Syndrome symptoms:

  • If you suffer from Imposter Syndrome, you might not be able to acknowledge how much you contributed to the success of your organization. This is because you won’t think your efforts, intelligence, or originality were responsible for your accomplishment. For instance, you might believe that your colleagues or a lucky break, rather than your efforts, are solely responsible for any achievement.
  • You spend a lot of time reflecting on mistakes – Rather than focusing on your successes, you might choose to devour more time reflecting on your mistakes. You could also compare yourself to others, thinking their efforts were much less than yours to accomplish the same goal.
  • Success is not celebrated. Instead, you focus on the task that must be completed immediately. You don’t give yourself any time to enjoy the accomplishment of a task well done.
  • You can’t celebrate your current achievements because you are preoccupied with worrying about upcoming deadlines or goals and having doubts about your ability to meet them.
  • PEOPLE PLEASING: If you don’t feel good enough, you may automatically be very flexible, ask for permission, or look for approval (often from questionable sources). Being a “no” person is challenging when you are trained to say “yes.” The more the discomfort with saying “no,” the more likely Imposter Syndrome may be at work.

How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome

Make sure you don’t talk negatively about yourself.

Start paying attention to your thoughts when you feel like an imposter. Consider rephrasing your ideas as “I may not be sure how to do this, but I’m capable of learning,” as opposed to “I hope no one notices that I don’t know how to do this.”

Prevent comparisons.

You will always find yourself wanting if you continuously evaluate yourself against others, which will only exacerbate your feelings of inadequacy. Instead of comparing yourself to others, learn from their knowledge and experiences.

Therapy with Cognitive Behavior.

 Using Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is also beneficial. You can balance your thinking with their assistance. They will assist you in seeing the big picture rather than just the problems.

ADHD Coaching:

A Certified ADHD Coach can identify behaviors you could be engaging in due to Imposter Syndrome. A coach can also assist you in maintaining a healthy work-life balance by offering advice on how to organize your time, make plans, and set priorities. Finally, an ADHD coach can demonstrate to you how to enjoy your successes rather than feel self-conscious about them and utilize them as motivation for future success.

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