Do YOU have imposter syndrome? Psychologist's 12-question quiz will reveal if you're holding yourself back in your career - and what to do about it
- Dr Carmen Harra is author of Committed: Finding Love and Loyalty Through the Seven Archetypes
- READ MORE: Women in high-flying jobs more likely to suffer imposter syndrome than their male counterparts, research shows
Do you believe your success is all down to good luck or timing? Are you at the height of your career but feel a deep sense of dread or guilt? You might be suffering from imposter syndrome.
Thankfully, Dr Carmen Harra, American author of Committed: Finding Love and Loyalty Through the Seven Archetypes, has told FEMAIL how to discover whether you are possibly experiencing the condition.
'Imposter syndrome refers to repeated thoughts that you don’t deserve your success and that your accomplishments are the result of fraudulence,' explained the psychologist.
It comes after new research by California University showed women in high-flying jobs are still far more likely than their male colleagues to fall victim to the psychological experience of intellectual and professional incompetence.
Could you be suffering from this psychological condition? Reflect on the following questions to try and find out how likely it might be:
Do you believe your success is all down to good luck or timing? Are you at the height of your career but feel a deep sense of dread or guilt? You might be suffering from imposter syndrome (stock image)
1. I attribute my success to:
A. My consistent and diligent hard work.
B. My work mixed with a bit of luck.
C. Mostly luck, not so much my work.
D. Dumb luck, I don’t deserve any of it.
2. I tend to downplay my achievements:
A. Never.
B. Rarely.
C. Often.
D. Always.
3. When performing an unfamiliar task, I feel:
A. Completely confident - I know what I’m doing!
B. Pretty confident - I think I know what I’m doing.
C. Somewhat unconfident - I’m mostly making it up as I go along.
D. Completely unconfident - I have no idea why I even agreed to do this.
4. I believe my competency level is:
A. Above average.
B. Average.
C. Below average.
D. Abysmal.
5. When someone compliments my competency or abilities, I feel:
A. Incredible, I’ve earned it.
B. Good, but I know I could’ve done even better.
C. Slightly embarrassed, because I’m not as competent as everyone thinks.
D. Very embarrassed, because I’m not competent at all.
6. I feel like I struggle more than others to get things done.
A. Don’t agree at all.
B. Don’t agree except in some situations.
C. Somewhat agree.
D. Strongly agree.
7. I tend to compare myself to others:
A. Never.
B. Rarely.
C. Often.
D. Always.
Woman in high-flying jobs are more likely to suffer from imposter syndrome, according to new research (stock image)
8. When I’m given a challenging project at work, my first reaction is:
A. Bring it on, I love a good challenge!
B. I’ll work my way through it, even though it may not be perfect.
C. I’ll work my way through it, even though it makes me feel uncomfortable.
D. I have no idea what I’m doing, I’ll make it up as usual.
9. When attention is drawn to my success, I feel:
A. Worthy of it.
B. Decent about it.
C. Uncomfortable about it.
D. Unworthy of it.
10. I feel like other people deserve my accomplishments more than I do.
A. Don’t agree at all.
B. Don’t agree except in some situations.
C. Somewhat agree.
D. Strongly agree.
11. Regarding my career, if I could go back and do things over again, I would:
A. Do them exactly the same way.
B. Do them the same way with a few exceptions.
C. Change some of the decisions I’ve made.
D. Change all of the decisions I’ve made.
12. In all honesty, I feel like a fraud.
A. Never.
B. Rarely.
C. Often.
D. Always.
If you answered mostly As: Dr Carmen said: 'You are far from having imposter syndrome. On the contrary, you are brimming with confidence in your advancements and potential.
'Continue to radiate this excellent work ethic, and teach others how to believe in themselves, too.'
If you answered mostly Bs: Dr Carmen said: 'It is unlikely that you have imposter syndrome. You are sure of your abilities and work while also acknowledging that you are imperfect.
'This is completely normal and ensures a healthy balance between certainty and modesty.'
If you answered mostly Cs: Dr Carmen said: 'You may have a low level of imposter syndrome. Although you do recognize that you’ve worked hard, your success is a source of considerable discomfort.
'You are sometimes struck by a sense of unworthiness that is to your benefit to address and resolve.'
If you answered mostly Ds: Dr Carmen said: 'You may have a moderate to high level of imposter syndrome.
'You are under the impression that you’ve been able to “fool” others into believing in your competency and feel as though your accomplishments are the result of pure luck.
'Shifting this mentality will not only contribute to your mental and emotional wellbeing, but will encourage continued progress.'
Dr Carmen added: 'If you find yourself battling this psychological phenomenon, chances are that the feelings of disgrace and embarrassment you’re experiencing did not originate in adulthood - they are likely the result of certain pains or traumas from your younger years.
'What you feel in your career you may also feel at home, so take care not to allow those self-degrading tendencies to seep into and damage your relationships with the people who love you.
'It is imperative to discover the source of your lack of confidence and eradicate it.
'Usually this means making peace with whatever has happened and acknowledging that you are not the product of your past. You exist here and now and are exactly where you’re meant to be.
'Because imposter syndrome does not develop overnight, elevating your beliefs will prove to be a process.
'If you need any help relieving the symptoms of imposter syndrome, seek out the assistance of a qualified professional who will work with you in steps to build a solid sense of self-security.'
