The Imposter Syndrome is a collection of behaviors and negative feelings formed around a pervasive idea and fear that you are not as good as other people think you are. No matter how much praise you receive or what you achieve, this idea does not change.] If you suffer from Imposter Syndrome, you tend to believe that you and what you achieve are never good enough. You also think that you aren't as qualified, as smart, or as talented as others believe, and that you're effectively an "imposter" or a "fake" who hasn't yet been discovered. You don't share your authentic self with others for fear that you will be rejected or devalued in some way. Your energy goes into trying to be perfect lest anyone discover your vulnerabilities or the emotions you perceive as weaknesses.

1. The Imposter Syndrome is a collection
of behaviors and negative feelings
formed around a pervasive idea and
fear that you are not as good as other
people think you are. No matter how
much praise you receive or what you
achieve, this idea does not change.
Do You Suffer from the Imposter Syndrome?
By Anne Dranitsaris, Ph.D.
 Do you often have the feeling that you don’t know what you’re doing despite
having done it before?
 Do you think it’s just a matter of time before someone will realize you aren’t who
they think you are and expose you as a fraud?
 Do you feel anxious when you start a new project or learn something new,
thinking that you should know things faster or easier than you do?
This feeling is known as the "Impostor Syndrome." It refers to when we live from our
survival self rather than our authentic self. Since first identified in the late 1970s by
researchers at the Georgia State University, it is estimated that over 70 percent of the
population experiences these and other symptoms of the Syndrome.
If you suffer from Imposter Syndrome, you tend to believe that you and what you achieve are never
good enough. You also think that you aren't as qualified, as smart, or as talented as others
believe, and that you're effectively an "imposter" or a "fake" who hasn't yet been discovered.
You don't share your authentic self with others for fear that you will be rejected or devalued in some
way. Your energy goes into trying to be perfect lest
anyone discover your vulnerabilities or the emotions you
perceive as weaknesses.
While it is not officially a recognized psychological
disorder, the Imposter Syndrome is at the root of
other disorders - i.e. anxiety, eating, dissociative
disorders, to name a few. Interestingly, the Impostor
Syndrome is most common among high performers. To
others, it comes as a surprise when they find out that
someone they have known for years has suffered in painful silence.
Many of my clients come into therapy with this Syndrome interfering with the quality of their lives,
their happiness and their ambition. Sensitivity to criticism, stories with themselves as the
perpetual victim, a feeling of invisibility, and free floating anxiety are all present in these
people. Because of the secret shame felt by people who have this Syndrome, they don't seek help.

2. Anne Dranitsaris, Ph.D. ©2013 2
Admitting to needing help breaks the barrier of pretence that gets in the way of shifting from this
very effective coping strategy that was needed to survive but has outlived its usefulness.
Becoming Whole through Self-Actualization – Our Biological
Mandate
As human beings, each of us needs to feel whole; to feel that we are "enough" to stand up to the
challenges and adventures of life without feeling frightened and overwhelmed. Having
the confidence to do this comes from a secure attachment to our caregivers during childhood which
allowed us to develop a healthy sense of self. This secure base allows us to be aware of who we are,
our strengths, weaknesses, desires and needs and to feel entitled to have them, without apology.
This self, our authentic self, is constant, enduring and unaffected by setbacks,
disappointments, the behavior of others, or challenging situations we are in. It does not
change because of the way we feel or are treated.
When we don't live from our authentic self
because of failures of attachment in childhood,
we have a more fragile sense of self and a
pervasive, underlying sense of anxiety. We fear
others will discover our vulnerabilities or
weaknesses and reject us for having them. We
judge and compare ourselves to others or
what we think others expect of us. With a
heightened sensitivity to criticism, we are
constantly on the alert to make sure that we
are seen as perfect. We adapt to what others
want us to be, looking outside of ourselves for
validation. Rather than having a self that is secure and constant, our sense of self is regulated by our
achievements, how we feel we are being treated by others and our negative self-talk and
judgments. This overriding feeling of insecurity which accompanies other self-protective
behaviors is called the Imposter Syndrome.
Many with this Syndrome are high achievers; people who have accomplished much in their lives and
are considered successful by others. However, because they are perfectionistic and driven, they are
unable to rest and enjoy the fruits of their achievements. Whether it is at work or in the home,
their drive keeps them busy and productive at all times. They have to keep going as they are
unable to tolerate how they feel when alone or at rest. They overcompensate in the external world
for the feelings of emptiness and inadequacy they feel inside of them.

3. Anne Dranitsaris, Ph.D. ©2013 3
Developmental Delays Cause the Imposter Syndrome
As human beings, we have a biological mandate to evolve and individuate (become whole). This
innate drive to be our authentic self moves us through different stages of emotionalbrain
development. We go from dependence on our mother (primary caregiver) and other adults through
the normal stages of separation through childhood and adolescence, arriving at adulthood where
the strengthening of our authentic, independent self is ongoing. Feeling whole or complete
within ourselves gives us the confidence to go out into the world and have experiences that
allow us to fulfill our potential. When we are living from our authentic self, we remain open to
new experiences; seek relationships that satisfy our needs; delay gratification as we work toward our
goals; and recover easily from disappointment, failures and frustrations.
During normal development, our energy goes
into strengthening neural pathways in the brain
that support our emotional maturation. When
children are forced to put their energy into
protecting themselves from the distress of
suboptimal conditions and relationships,
frustrated needs and painful experiences,
their energy goes into strengthening their
adaptive, survival or false self. This ensures
their psychological survival. When they are using
the survival self, they disconnect from any feelings of vulnerability, pain and anxiety they would
otherwise experience. When they live this way for too long, they begin to lose connection to their
authentic self and their needs. This means that a false self responsible for survival takes on a life of
their own, belying the needs and feelings of the fragile authentic self within.
Development in childhood can be derailed for many reasons, many of them unintentional. By the
demands of parents and society to adapt or conform excessively; by repetitive, ongoing stressors or
trauma during childhood; or by failure to recognize the distinct need of the child. These children
reach adulthood in a state of incomplete emotional development, only feeling whole when there is
someone else with them meeting their needs or through activities that temporarily make them feel
whole. In this state of dependency, they look to their relationships, work and substances to
regulate their self-esteem. An overriding sense of fragility, anxiety and insecurity lives within them
despite looking and being successful in the outer world.
To some extent, we all cultivate a false self for protection and to get us through difficult situations.
Most of us are aware of when we are using it. We know we're putting on a bit of an act or adapting
for the sake of the greater good. But those whose survival self is all that they know are not
aware of the self hidden deep in protection below the surface.

4. Anne Dranitsaris, Ph.D. ©2013 4
Symptoms of the Imposter Syndrome
While there are many ways the survival self manifests in daily life, the following are the main
symptoms of the Imposter Syndrome.
Unrealistic Expectations When Trying New Things
People with Imposter Syndrome have unrealistic expectations of how quickly they should learn new
things. They have difficulty tolerating the anxiety they feel during the learning process. They feel
embarrassed when they make a mistake and over apologize for taking up too much of the
instructor’s time. They are more likely to learn on their own and gain mastery without
embarrassment. Often they will refuse to develop or try new things.
Discounting Praise
Even when they are recognized for their achievements, these people are unable to accept or to take
in the praise they are given. The way they feel inside takes priority over the reality of the level of
success they have reached or the external proof of their competence. As a result, they never build
confidence or feel whole.
Unable to Say ‘No”
These people feel compelled to agree to every request, and would rather juggle a million jobs than
refuse to help or appear limited in any way. Fear of appearing inadequate causes them to say “yes”
and take on more than they are able to complete without cost to themselves. Their fear of rejection,
being disliked or criticized and the guilt they feel for not being enough for others undermines their
lives. They seem to act as though they have no sense of their own value as a human being or know
they are entitled to say no when it costs them too much.
Denying the Self
Anxiety and fear of being exposed stops those with
the Imposter Syndrome to go after positions or
careers they desire. While they may be fully qualified
and capable, feelings of inadequacy or not being
good enough get in the way of trying. They convince
themselves they don’t really want something or wait
for someone else to discover them and validate
them. They act as though they don’t need anyone or
anything, keeping feelings of anxiety that come
when depending on others at bay.
Self-Devaluation
These people interfere with their development by telling themselves that they are not as smart,
talented or accomplished as others. They feel that they only achieve through their extraordinary

5. Anne Dranitsaris, Ph.D. ©2013 5
effort and because they work harder and longer than everyone else. They believe if they were really
smart, they wouldn't have to work so hard. Imposters will attribute their career success to luck and
anyone could achieve what they have. They devalue their achievements, taking away any
opportunity to gain confidence.
Perfectionism
Imposter Syndrome people suffer from the idea that what they produce is never good enough. They
exceed expectations of others and while everyone else is standing in awe of them, they feel they are
lacking and inadequate. They also judge their physical attributes, telling themselves they aren’t
attractive or thin enough, spending excessive amounts of time on their appearance. This can lead to
eating disorders, obsessive working out or compulsive shopping.
Living a Lie
People with the Imposter Syndrome first create their survival self to ward off pain and anxiety
caused by what is going on in their childhood. They learn to deny reality to keep the authentic self
safe and hidden. This survival self is constructed to help the child gain acceptance, a sense of their
place in the family and even a sense of personal power. They rely on it to survive, however, their
authentic self can get lost or forgotten. They can hide it so effectively that they can no longer find it.
All they know is that they don’t feel authentic and are anxious and afraid much of the time.
Feeling Whole by Ignoring the Self
The Impostor Syndrome gets people to work harder to make sure they achieve success and are seen
as having it together. However, it also stops them from taking big risks, to love and be loved
fully; and to not be as bold or as adventurous as they might otherwise be. From an
evolutionary perspective, this type of survival behavior might have made sense at some point, but
now only serves to get in the way.
Messages and lessons learned as children form neural pathways in the brain that shape the way you
think about yourself. If you learned to doubt yourself or were devalued or shamed for just
being you, you will have issues with your self-worth. Surviving meant that you adapted to what
others expected you to be; kept quiet or to yourself; avoided conflict and felt responsible for the
feelings of others. The mistaken beliefs of childhood now run the show and continue to get in the
way of feeling the joy that comes from living life authentically and on your own terms.
These people don’t feel whole when they are alone and keep working to achieve or to please others
to ward off distressing emotions. They are most likely to be co-dependent in relationships and form
addictions to work, substances, food, exercise, etc. It is like living life on a treadmill, knowing you
want to stop and rest, but not knowing how to get off. Psychotherapy can help you break free
of the compulsions of the survival brain. It helps you to consciously consider and define yourself as

6. Anne Dranitsaris, Ph.D. ©2013 6
objectively as possible and redefine and reject the messages you were given and accepted and the
beliefs you formed because of your childhood conditioning and environment.
Learning to Live Authentically
Despite delays to our development during
childhood, our brain is able to rewire new patterns
of thinking and resume development where it left
off at any time. Long-standing adaptive patterns of
behavior can be changed and new, productive
responses and patterns can be put in their place. We
can change the way we feel by changing our beliefs.
Self-limiting and anxiety producing thought can be
replaced with more accurate and supportive self-
talk, reducing the amount of fear and anxiety
experienced by people with the Imposter Syndrome.
Rewiring the brain so that the authentic self emerges
happens when we learn about and understand our Survival Self. This includes becoming aware of
the coping strategies left over from childhood that we are still using. During therapy, clients can go
through a period of feeling very vulnerable and emotional because they are removing their coping
strategy and exposing the pain underneath it. But over time new emotional habits get created and
new ways of healthy coping get practiced and adopted. And this person can become much more
comfortable "living in their own skin".
Changing long standing thinking patterns means cultivating, through the practice of mindfulness,
the ability to observe and reflect on dysfunctional thinking patterns. It means catching yourself
when you are thinking automatic negative thoughts and to assess the validity of the thoughts. Our
brain throws up feelings that have to do with the past and nothing to do with the present. Learning
to not pay attention to these thoughts and feelings frees you to live your life fully in the present
moment, seeing yourself in a realistic light.
Psychotherapy helps you identify automatic negative thoughts and thinking patterns and helps you
cultivate your authentic self. Living life thinking that you are only as good as your next achievement
or that you will surely be exposed as the fraud you believe you are is no way to live your life. You
can break free of this distressing syndrome and change the way you see and relate to yourself.
Getting the help you need is the first step in breaking the taboo of the Imposter Syndrome and
living life authentically. It is entirely within your control.

7. Anne Dranitsaris, Ph.D. ©2013 7
Anne Dranitsaris, PhD., is a Clinical Psychotherapist, Corporate Therapist, Behavioural
Change Consultant and creator of the Striving Styles Personality System. She has more
than 35 years’ experience working in private practice and in organizations. Her corporate
therapy and behavioural consulting approach includes assessing, educating, training and
coaching to develop greater self-awareness, awareness of others, improved relationships
and increased ability to live authentically.
For more information or to contact Anne, call 416.406.3939 Ex2 or email her at
anned@annedranitsaris.com.