The Imposter Phenomenon, or Imposter Syndrome, is a feeling people may experience where they believe they are an "imposter", and do not belong. This is usually related to feeling less competent or intelligent than people around you think you are. This is a much more common problem than many people realize, since people tend to try to hide these feelings in fear of their perceived inadequacy being discovered. There is an estimate of 70% of people having experienced imposter syndrome at some point in their lifetime. This percentage is even higher when looking into the healthcare professions, including occupational therapy, since these professions tend to have a high prevalence of high/ over-achieving personalities.
I have personally experienced Imposter Syndrome many times, especially in the school setting. I have always been told that I am a perfectionist which is one of the more common traits that lead to Imposter Syndrome. After taking the "Imposter Phenomenon Rating Scale Test" I confirmed that I have "intense imposter phenomenon experiences" with a score of 85. I am almost done with my OT program which I think has intensified these feelings knowing that I will soon be responsible for my own clients. This on top of my natural levels of anxiety and perfectionism have definitely made Imposter Syndrome more prevalent in my life. Thankfully there are ways to combat this phenomenon.
One thing you can do is utilize self-reflection by making a list of your accomplishments as a visual reminder that you have been successful and to give yourself recognition for what you have done. You can also set goals; I personally have utilized this in the past when trying to boost my confidence. I tend to set goals that push me a little, but are also very achievable and short-term so that I am frequently meeting new goals. It can also help to just open to people and talk about these feelings with friends and even a trusted co-worker. As mentioned earlier, many people struggle with this and sometimes hearing that others feel the same way can be comforting and help relieve a little bit of that stress. Overall, it is important to remember that you are not alone and give yourself that credit you deserve.
References
Albanese, S. (2019). Facing imposter syndrome as a new grad. Eyes on Eye Care. https://eyesoneyecare.com/resources/facing-impostor-syndrome-new-grad/
Lancaster, S. (2017). Imposter Phenomenon (No. 7). [Audio podcast episode]. In On the Air. http://www.ontheair.us/podcast1/episode-7-impostor-phenomenon
