When High Achievers Experience Imposter Syndrome
What Happens When a High Achiever Experiences Imposter Syndrome…
A high-achiever’s life agenda usually looks something like this…
set goal, achieve a goal, rinse and repeat
However, at some point and somewhere along the way, imposter syndrome is likely to show up.
It can make life pretty complicated and create all sorts of anxiety and negativity. Imposter syndrome can derail you, take you off course, and leave you questioning yourself.
In this blog, I’m sharing with you 5 things that happen when a high-achiever experiences imposter syndrome.
I am an online anxiety therapist in Wilmington, NC, and specialize in therapy for anxious high-achieving go-getter women. Often my clients are coming to therapy because of their anxiety and perfectionism, feelings of stress, and being overwhelmed by burnout.
I provide virtual anxiety therapy for high achievers in North Carolina and Maryland.
Ready to get started? Click the button below to schedule your free 15-minute consultation with me.
Keep reading to learn more about high-achievers and imposter syndrome.
5 Things That Happen When A High Achiever Experiences Imposter Syndrome
Imposter syndrome can make you feel all sorts of things. For high-achievers it can show up quite frequently. But it also isn’t talked about enough either, understandably so because no one wants to be exposed for being a fraud.
Most often if you are worried about being an imposter, chances are high that you are not an imposter. So in the case you find yourself swirling around in that place, check out these 5 things that happen to the high-achiever when they experience imposter syndrome.
#1 High Achiever and Imposter Syndrome: Compare Self
If you are a high-achiever, chances are you know other high-achievers and nowadays with social media you can see what everyone wants you to see or know.
This is also hard for women entrepreneurs and business owners because often you are feeling “left behind” due to all the comparisons that are happening.
This is a slippery slope and can have you doubting yourself and your path. Be cautious.
#2 High Achiever and Imposter Syndrome: Not Good Enough Story
We all have some version of the not good enough story and boy does it really come through with imposter syndrome and self-doubt.
It will hook you and take you down a rabbit hole so quickly, much like comparing yourself to others.
#3 High Achiever and Imposter Syndrome: Information Overload
When you feel like an imposter and you think you don’t have any clue about what you’re doing, chances are you then go on information overload.
You try to soak up as much information and knowledge about something as you can so that you can prove to yourself (ahem…moving target) and others (they can’t find out I’m a fraud) you know what you’re doing.
This shit is exhausting and will always leave you feeling like you can do more.
#4 High Achiever and Imposter Syndrome: Burnout Shows Up
When all the self-doubt, negative thinking, and information overload piles up, it can lead to burnout.
No longer do you feel motivated, the creativity is gone, and you’re stressed out and anxious.
Learn more about signs of burnout and stages of burnout.
#5 High Achiever and Imposter Syndrome: Limits Potential
All of these things previously discussed start to limit your potential. You no longer become clear on your goal, you hold yourself back, and get stuck in the imposter syndrome muck.
Therapy for imposter syndrome in Wilmington, NC at Calm Waters Counseling
Imposter Syndrome can make your life really hard and leave you questioning yourself and your abilities.
It is important to recognize the signs of imposter syndrome and get the help and support that is available.
I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy when working with high-achievers. Check out this blog to learn if ACT could be helpful for you.
Learn more about ACT for anxiety.
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 believing in yourself
Therapy for High-Achievers in Wilmington, NC at Calm Waters Counseling
Learn more about me and my online anxiety counseling practice in Wilmington, NC.
I specialize in providing therapy for anxious go-getters and high-achieving women dealing with encountering stress and burnout.
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
Virtual Therapy for Anxiety and Imposter Syndrome in Maryland
High achievers have really benefited from being able to take advantage of using online therapy for anxiety.
The flexibility and effectiveness of using online therapy can give you consistent support and treatment needed without the hassle of getting into the therapy office every week.
Sometimes coming into the therapy office just isn’t an option and that doesn’t mean you have to miss your appointment.
Check out this blog post on using online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to get more information on how ACT can work even when the therapist and client aren’t sitting in the same room.
If online therapy seems like a good option for you, click the links below to learn more 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 3/20/23