Imposter phenomenon and imposter syndrome refer to identical experiences—feeling like a fraud regardless of clear signs of success—but are used in different contexts by researchers and clinicians.

"Imposter syndrome" originally came from research psychologist Pauline Clance, who in the late 1970s and early 1980s conducted seminal studies on this psychological pattern. While her work predominantly focused on women and their remarkable achievements, the use of "imposter syndrome" has since evolved in popular discourse to a degree that most people are probably unaware of what's behind it.

Today’s society suffers from imposter syndrome, and it is easy to see why with our current state of technology and the amount of time spent curating our lives online. The appearance of perfection can be so intoxicating that many of us forget it’s not even real. Still, we beat ourselves up over not being able to achieve it, and this in and of itself is a form of modern pathology.

But social media isn’t the only culprit. The siren call of “You can do anything!” coupled with the constant “hustle” can play hell with our sense of self. They don’t just accompany the reality of high achievement; they also pave the way up to the Marianas Trench of inner self-worth.

To dismantle imposter syndrome, a varied and vigorous approach is needed. First and foremost, it’s essential to recognize and challenge the insidious negative thought patterns that make high achievers doubt their abilities and worth.

It’s also helpful to understand that the feelings associated with imposter syndrome are very common among successful people. Many of us in academia have them; we’re just very good at hiding them. Another good tactic is getting feedback from trusted colleagues, mentors, and friends, who can help you see how good you really are from a more objective standpoint than you can manage for yourself when you’re caught in the imposter syndrome spiral. Finally, practice self-compassion and understand that you’re not alone in this.

Imposter syndrome affects many professionals, but it’s especially common among those who are highly credentialed and accomplished. When expert impostors look in the mirror, they see someone who just isn’t that great, despite the mountain of evidence to the contrary. They might even joke about it, but the condition can carry a high cost in terms of well-being and productivity.

People with intellectual imposterism might seek therapy in some form or another. But when all is said and done, knowing that you have a condition and maybe even understanding why you have it or how to treat it is hardly a panacea.

Imposter syndrome comes in five types. The perfectionist sets impossibly high standards. The superwoman/man feels that they simply must work harder than others to prove they are worth something. The natural genius thinks that if they aren’t perfect from the start, they must not be cut out for whatever they’re doing. The soloist thinks you really ought to do it all on your own and that asking for help is pretty much an admission of incompetence. The expert feels they must know everything there is to know about a subject to even claim any authority on it. 

Imposter syndrome centers around the common feelings of being a fraud that many people encounter. Perfectionism, procrastination, paralysis, and pervasive self-doubt are the 4 Ps of feeling like you don’t belong.

These are the main patterns that drive people’s thoughts toward imposter syndrome. Pushing to be a perfect person and a perfect worker (which no one can be) sets up the kind of unrealistic conditions that lead to feeling like a fraud.

The first step in dealing with imposter syndrome is to recognize that it is indeed present and to understand that it is something many people experience—like you, sometimes, imposter syndrome is not the personality type of the person afflicted but rather a common phenomenon that can be dealt with in a few different ways. 

The most basic of these is to call out the negative thoughts and rephrase them into something that makes a little more sense and sounds a lot nicer. You're so lucky to have this and that for instance, is not a helpful thing for anybody to say. Because I wasn't lucky; I earned my place! And so have you! 

Imposter syndrome's exact origins are uncertain. Still, researchers point to a mix of personality traits—especially perfectionism—as a common risk factor. Although it can be triggered by a negative experience, imposter syndrome seems to primarily arise when you set the bar unreasonably high for what you achieve and then feel bad about it, even though you've done something that, viewed from most angles, is quite praiseworthy. 

One's attachment style may also be a factor in the development of the imposter syndrome as early childhood experiences shape our belief systems and, ultimately, our abilities to cope with stressors and challenges. Our parents have more influence on our future than they would ever know.

Although psychological literature does not classify imposter syndrome as a trauma response, it can be triggered by events or environments that gradually undermine one's competence and self-worth. 

For example, growing up in a household where criticism was doled out with regularity or being bullied can contribute to the emergence of impostor feelings. This suggests that, for some individuals, imposter syndrome may be a kind of coping mechanism for dealing with past trauma. 

When attempting to support someone with imposter syndrome, the first thing to do is offer an ear without judgment. This allows a valuable space to exist where the person can express themselves without holding back. It is also important to remind the person with imposter syndrome to talk about all the great things they have accomplished, which they usually only do if you prompt them. 

If they can't even seem to do that, they might need a gentle nudge to help them see that they probably don't give themselves enough credit. Serving as a life coach comes with a certain amount of necessary nudging, but it all comes from a place of care. 

How committed relationship partners support one another in stress management is the essence of dyadic coping. This concept encompasses the communication and behaviors partners employ to cope with not only their own stressful circumstances but also the stressors their partner is facing. 

At the center of dyadic coping is the act of listening—a deep and attentive listening that allows the listener to step into the world of the partner who is experiencing stress. This is empathy in action. Following closely behind is the provision of support, which can take many forms: emotional, practical, even humorous. Partners also "dyadically" problem-solve. That is, they work together to tackle the problems that are affecting the relationship itself. 

When a couple is under stress, it can be hard for either partner to maintain a positive outlook. Critics of partnership say that the kind of intimacy that exists between two people in a stressful situation warps the judgment of both. 

Not serving one another in the best way is what is at stake with the negative dyad copers—the partners in crime—who express harmful and unsupportive actions or reactions when trying to deal with this pesky little thing called life. 

When both people in a relationship are unhappy, that relationship is in distress. And when it comes to dyadic distress, the unhappy couple has a pretty strong hold on the title. Both members of the couple feel bad inside—bad about life, bad about their interactions, and bad about what the future may hold for them. 

While they may put on a brave face for the outside world, inside, they are melting down. And it's not just them. Their unhappiness starts to spread together with their dyadic distress. And that's what these four chapters are about. 

The word "dyadic" refers to a union of two. In most contexts, it describes the relationship or interaction of two individuals or elements, often detailing facets of their pairwise existence. In psychology and the social sciences, we often analyze interactions, relationships, and communication patterns, which are the hallmarks of dyadic situations. 

When we study dyads, we often focus on the structures that underlie the interaction of the two elements, be they temporary, as with strangers forming a pair for a task or more permanent pairs like friendships or partnerships. 

Actions and reactions within an interaction between two individuals can be termed dyadic behavior. This can be taken to include any forms of communication that comprise the interaction. There is obvious verbal communication like talking, with some individuals being more open than others about discussing their feelings, doubts, and straight-up conflicts. Non-verbal communication like the variety of smiles, hugs, and other body language acts also ranges from the very obvious to the very subtle. And it's hard, if not impossible, to tease apart the acts of communication that comprise an interaction and the actual content, or subject matter, of that interaction.