Impostor syndrome: What is it and do you have it?

Have you ever felt like everyone else knows what they're doing while you have no clue? People experience impostor syndrome in varying ways, but some common signs are: Perfectionism — not recognising a success because you can only focus on the flaws — not recognising a success because you can only focus on the flaws Overworking — can also be connected with perfectionism, as well as a way of avoiding finishing a project or product that will be judged — can also be connected with perfectionism, as well as a way of avoiding finishing a project or product that will be judged Undermining your achievements — pointing out your mistakes before taking ownership of a success, procrastinating and leaving things to the last minute, and then having to rush to finish — pointing out your mistakes before taking ownership of a success, procrastinating and leaving things to the last minute, and then having to rush to finish Fear of failure — putting off starting something, avoiding taking on new challenges and reluctance to ask for feedback as you can't face potentially failing — putting off starting something, avoiding taking on new challenges and reluctance to ask for feedback as you can't face potentially failing Discounting praise — pointing out other people's contributions before your own, assuming praise given is faked or exaggerated It can affect all people in all aspects of life, but most of the research into impostor syndrome has focused on the experience in relation to work and study. "The reason it might decline with age is because the real way to combat impostor phenomenon is to gather evidence," Dr Norris says. Dr Norris says something that feeds into impostor syndrome is receiving "non-contingent feedback". Both Dr Norris and Ms Mercier say impostor syndrome is an experience that tends to come and go throughout a person's life.