5 Ways to Overcome Imposter Syndrome When You Have Anxiety
Learn How to Stop Feeling Like a Fraud and Overcome Imposter Syndrome
There is nothing worse than being in a job and constantly doubting yourself. Feeling afraid that someone is going to figure out there is a fraud or imposter in the room.
You silently think to yourself “how much longer until they find out?”
You constantly doubt your abilities even when there is a resume to back you up.
Struggling with imposter syndrome can be mentally exhausting. If you are naturally prone to anxiety, experiencing imposter syndrome can make it 10 times worse.
The “what-ifs” and anxious thoughts your brain is telling you to continue to keep you on high alert and feed back into the imposter syndrome.
In this blog, I’m sharing with you ways to overcome imposter syndrome when you have anxiety.
I am a virtual anxiety therapist in Wilmington, NC, and provide anxiety treatment to anxious high-achieving women experiencing perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and burnout.
Online anxiety therapy services available to clients in Maryland and North Carolina.
Ready to start therapy with me and overcome imposter syndrome? Click the button below to reserve your free 15-minute consultation on the date and time of your choice.
Click the button below to get started in therapy with me.
By the end of this, you’ll know 5 ways to overcome imposter syndrome.
5 Helpful Tips to Overcome Imposter Syndrome
Imposter syndrome can be a challenge to confront and can keep you stuck from moving forward and achieving great things due to many fears. Here are 5 ways to overcome imposter syndrome:
Tip #1 to Overcome Imposter Syndrome: Thoughts and feelings are not facts
Your feelings are valid but your thoughts and feelings are not facts.
Simply because you feel or believe something is true does not mean it is true.
This can be challenging to accept at first but it can be such a helpful reminder as you experience the pains in life.
This is especially true for anxious folks because we jump to conclusions and predict worst-case scenarios, naturally as our default mode.
So when the mind starts telling you you are a fraud and brings forth all the self-doubt, of course, it is easy to be easy to get sucked into the story.
Don’t get hooked by it though.
Tip #2 to Overcome Imposter Syndrome: It’s normal
Practically everyone at some point or another is going to experience imposter syndrome. It’s normal and natural.
The mere fact that you could be questioning yourself if you are an imposter is enough evidence that it is unlikely.
It can be really helpful to simply acknowledge and remind yourself that it is normal to experience these thoughts and feelings. (See tip #1)
I don’t know many imposters that contemplate if they are an imposter.
Tip #3 to Overcome Imposter Syndrome: Overcome the perfectionism
Imposter syndrome and perfection are very closely linked, so much so, that there is a subtype of imposter syndrome called the Perfectionist.
Recognizing perfectionism and working towards being present and realistic is important.
Tip #4 to Overcome Imposter Syndrome: Recognize your achievements
I am willing to bet that you may not give yourself enough credit at times and you may discount some of your achievements.
Your achievements are important to recognize, celebrate, and reflect on.
We need to brag on ourselves. This can be done by acknowledging it out loud to self, telling a trusted friend or family member, or having a special celebratory moment.
When we allow ourselves to recognize the achievements we’ve made, it’s a good reminder of what we can do and what we are capable of doing.
AKA proof to that inner critic.
Tip #5 to Overcome Imposter Syndrome: Build self-compassion
One of the most important pieces of all of this is building self-compassion. It is so easy to get caught up and be hard on ourselves that it feels foreign to offer grace and kindness to ourselves in hard moments.
That inner critic casting self-doubt can be real mean and rough, so as you go through the tips above, it is important to find ways to bring in self-compassion at the same time.
We can all benefit from a boost of self-compassion daily.
Start Therapy for Imposter Syndrome in Wilmington, NC at Calm Waters Counseling
Imposter syndrome creates the self-doubt that feeds your not-good-enough story. It can hold you back and hold you down.
It’s possible to recognize the Jedi mind tricks imposter syndrome plays on you and you can overcome imposter syndrome.
I can help you work through imposter syndrome.
I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for anxiety treatment and imposter syndrome treatment.
Learn more about ACT and how it can benefit you.
Get started in therapy at Calm Waters Counseling by following these 4 simple steps:
Click the button below to schedule your free 15-minute consultation
Complete the brief questionnaire sent to your email before the consultation
Meet with your ACT therapist
Start living your life with more confidence
Therapy for High Achieving Women in Wilmington, NC at Calm Waters Counseling
You can learn more about me and my Wilmington, NC online counseling practice here!
I work with anxious go-getter women. These women have goals, work towards their goals, and then get nervous and stuck. Maybe that is because their inner critic is telling them lies, they are unsure of what to do next, or are just completely running on burnout mode.
If this sounds similar, check out all services at Calm Waters Counseling, listed below:
Anxiety therapy in Wilmington, NC
Treatment for Perfectionism in Maryland
Burnout Counseling in Wilmington, NC
Therapy for Imposter Syndrome in Wilmington, NC
Online Anxiety Therapy in Maryland
Online therapy provides a lot of flexibility and benefits to meet the needs of clients. It can be really helpful for the busy woman on the go as a way to make time to take care of herself and continue her hustle.
Acceptance and commitment therapy is just as effective for in-person treatment as it is with online therapy.
Check out this blog post on using online therapy with ACT
If you are interested in starting online therapy, click the links below to learn about online therapy where you live
online therapy for anxiety in North Carolina
online anxiety therapy in Maryland
Still, have questions? Click the buttons below to learn even more!
Written by: Laura Rippeon, LCSW, LCSW-C
Updated 3/17/23