Imposter Syndrome: Here We Go Again

[DISCLAIMER]

In the ‘90s, I visited Estes Park, Colorado with a small group of people. We attended local shops, spent time doing silly, playful, and unimportant things, and we took photos on 35 mm film. Back in those days, it seemed as though life was timeless. Of course, that perception was incorrect.

All these years later, I look at the above photo of me pretending to play a xylophone-type of instrument while wearing a fresh Ralph Lauren polo shirt with a University of Colorado Boulder (CU) hat, and I think of so-called imposter syndrome. About this matter, one source states:

Impostor syndrome, also known as impostor phenomenon or impostorism, is a psychological experience in which a person suffers from feelings of intellectual and/or professional fraudulence. One source defines it as “the subjective experience of perceived self-doubt in one’s abilities and accomplishments compared with others, despite evidence to suggest the contrary”.

Those who suffer from impostor syndrome often doubt their skills, talents, or accomplishments. They may have a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as frauds. Despite external evidence of their competence, those experiencing this phenomenon do not believe they deserve their success or luck. They may think that they are deceiving others because they feel as if they are not as intelligent as they outwardly portray themselves to be.

Impostor syndrome is not a recognized psychiatric disorder and is not featured in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) nor is it listed as a diagnosis in the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). Thus, clinicians lack information on the prevalence, comorbidities, and best practices for assessing and treating impostor syndrome. However, outside the academic literature, impostor syndrome has become widely discussed, especially in the context of achievement in the workplace.

For a moment, imagine that I actually was a musician capable of playing a xylophone-type instrument like the one in the photo above. I receive many accolades (expressions of praise) in the form of verbal and written compliments on my playing ability.

Yet, I unproductively believe that I suck—not merely as a musician, though as an individual. What others presumably can’t quite see is something about which I’m staunchly convinced—I am a sucky person who is little more than a talentless hack masquerading as a musician.

It’s only a matter of time until people discover truth about reality—I’m not worthy of praise, though I deserve rebuke (sharp criticism). In fact, I conclude, I may as well give up playing altogether! What I’ve described here is a form of supposed imposter syndrome.

Furthermore, to invoke a mental image of the output portion of a CU mascot—a North American bison which is often misrepresented as a buffalo—it’s all shit! There’s no such thing as imposter syndrome. It isn’t real! It’s simply a matter of pop psychology nonsense!

Do you know what isn’t pseudoscientific (a system of theories, assumptions, and methods erroneously regarded as scientific) quackery? Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). Allow me to explain how I’d address pretended imposter syndrome using this method.

REBT uses the ABC model to illustrate that when an undesirable Action occurs and you Believe an unhelpful narrative about the event, it’s your unfavorable assumption, not the occurrence itself, that causes an unpleasant Consequence. This is known as self-disturbance.

In particular, there are four predominate irrational beliefs which people often use to upset themselves: global evaluations, low frustration tolerance, awfulizing, and demandingness. When contemplating these unproductive beliefs, think of the acronym GLAD.

For example, when playing a xylophone-type instrument (Action) I Believe, “I suck [G], and I can’t stand [L] how terrible [A] my performance is! People are just flattering me, so I should [D] give up playing before they find out that I’m a talentless hack masquerading as a musician!”

This unaccommodating script then causes fear, as I ignore accolades from others while contemplating my departure from music (Consequence). Nothing indicated here is attributed to so-called imposter syndrome, as a self-disturbed outcome doesn’t need a pop psychology term.

Addressing how people upset themselves with unhelpful attitudes, the ABC model incorporates Disputation of unproductive philosophies of life in order to explore Effective new beliefs. Whereas rigid beliefs cause self-disturbance, flexible beliefs result in an un-disturbed condition.

Noteworthy, I stated in a blogpost entitled Acting As If (9/21/2022), “I’m not participating in victimhood narratives by advocating so-called imposter syndrome that validates one’s perceived ill repute. If you choose to do so, the consequences of your irrational belief are your own.”

Likewise, I stated in a blogpost entitled Imposter Syndrome (6/23/2023), “I’m not a proponent of ‘imposter syndrome.’ Giving this phenomenon a name and validating it as though it’s anything other than a self-disturbing Belief that leads to a Consequence is unnecessary, in my opinion.”

Here we go again! I’m writing the current blog entry, years since the aforementioned blogposts, because I often hear people on podcasts and referring to self-styled imposter syndrome as though it’s a genuine concern. It isn’t! One’s own beliefs are the problem, not a fake syndrome.

When contemplating my now-repetitious blog content, I’m reminded of an electronic dance music (EDM) DJ set I recently heard by KSNEI. She spun the track “Go Again” (2024) by Roger Sanchez and HUGEL, a remix to Sanchez’s song “Again” (2006)—as lyrics of the original state:

So why is it that every time you get into a little disagreement

With your girl about what just happened

She has to bring up 25 things that happened two years ago

And add it up into one big problem that you didn’t even know existed?

Oh, here we go again!

In the case of “one big problem that you didn’t even know existed,” I encourage you to consider the imaginary nature of so-called imposter syndrome. Next time you’re disturbing yourself with GLAD beliefs about supposed inadequacy, I invite you to think, “Oh, here we go again!”

Call that shit out for what it is—nonsense (unless your skills truly are inadequate)! Then, unyieldingly dispute that shit! You aren’t the victim of an imaginary syndrome any more than I’m a world class xylophone player. Alas, alleged imposter syndrome… here we go again!

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As the world’s foremost EDM-influenced REBT psychotherapist—promoting content related to EDM, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters. 

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

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