Is It Regular Self-Doubt or Imposter Syndrome? Take This Quiz to Find Out

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsThe Imposter Syndrome QuizWho Is This Quiz For?Understanding Imposter SyndromeWhy We Struggle With Imposter SyndromeCoping With Imposter Syndrome

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

The Imposter Syndrome Quiz

Who Is This Quiz For?

Understanding Imposter Syndrome

Why We Struggle With Imposter Syndrome

Coping With Imposter Syndrome

Close

Have you ever felt like you don’t deserve your success and others will soon discover you’re not as capable as they think? Do you brush off your accomplishments as flukes? Does your inner voice tell you you’re a fraud? If so, you may be experiencing a case ofimposter syndrome.

“Imposter syndrome is a persistent belief that your success is undeserved, attributing accomplishments to luck rather than ability or hard work. You might experience a chronic fear of being exposed as a “fraud” despite evidence of your competence,” says Christina Kayanan, LMFT, LAADC, a licensed therapist and executive director ofAMFM Healthcare.

Imposter syndrome can often feel like you’re wearing an invisibility cloak in a crowded room where everyone else seems to glow with confidence.—CHRISTINA KAYANAN, LMFT, LAADC

Imposter syndrome can often feel like you’re wearing an invisibility cloak in a crowded room where everyone else seems to glow with confidence.

—CHRISTINA KAYANAN, LMFT, LAADC

If this sounds familiar, take the quiz below to determine whether you might have a case of imposter syndrome.

This quiz is designed to help you identify whether imposter syndrome is whispering in your ear and causing you to doubt your accomplishments. Answer honestly, choosing the answer that best reflects your experience.

This quiz is not meant to be a diagnostic tool or replace the support of a credentialed mental health professional, such as a therapist. If you need help with something that this quiz cannot capture, please reach out to a mental healthcare provider for support.

Imposter syndrome is a psychological pattern where youdoubtyour skills, talents, and achievements, often attributing your success to luck or other external factors.

“This chronic self-doubt and fear of being ‘found out’ as a fraud can lead to significant emotional turmoil, including anxiety, depression, and a debilitating pressure to perform that paradoxically might hinder performance,”Kayanan explains.

Can You Benefit From “Lucky Girl Syndrome”?

These are some of the potential causes of imposter syndrome, according to the expert:

Imposter syndrome does not have a one-size-fits-all cause; its origins are as multifaceted as the individuals it affects, Kayanan says.

These are some strategies that can help you cope withimposter syndrome:

6 Ways to Overcome Imposter Syndrome in a Relationship, According to a Therapist

Takeaways

Impostor syndrome is a common experience that many people face, often without even realizing it. By recognizing the signs and understanding the root causes, you can challenge these negative thoughts and develop a more realistic view of your skills and accomplishments. It’s time to start believing in yourself!

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6 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Imposter phenomenon.Feigofsky S.Imposter syndrome.HeartRhythm Case Rep. 2022 Dec 15;8(12):861-862. doi:10.1016/j.hrcr.2022.11.001Bravata DM, Watts SA, Keefer AL, Madhusudhan DK, Taylor KT, Clark DM, Nelson RS, Cokley KO, Hagg HK.Prevalence, predictors, and treatment of impostor syndrome: a systematic review.J Gen Intern Med. 2020 Apr;35(4):1252-1275. doi:10.1007/s11606-019-05364-1Sawant NS, Kamath Y, Bajaj U, Ajmera K, Lalwani D.A study on impostor phenomenon, personality, and self-esteem of medical undergraduates and interns.Ind Psychiatry J. 2023 Jan-Jun;32(1):136-141. doi:10.4103/ipj.ipj_59_22Sawant NS, Kamath Y, Bajaj U, Ajmera K, Lalwani D.A study on impostor phenomenon, personality, and self-esteem of medical undergraduates and interns.Ind Psychiatry J. 2023 Jan-Jun;32(1):136-141. doi:10.4103/ipj.ipj_59_22Rice J, Rosario-Williams B, Williams F, West-Livingston L, Savage D, Wilensky JA, Landry A.Impostor syndrome among minority medical students who are underrepresented in medicine.J Natl Med Assoc. 2023 Apr;115(2):191-198. doi: 10.1016/j.jnma.2023.01.012

6 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Imposter phenomenon.Feigofsky S.Imposter syndrome.HeartRhythm Case Rep. 2022 Dec 15;8(12):861-862. doi:10.1016/j.hrcr.2022.11.001Bravata DM, Watts SA, Keefer AL, Madhusudhan DK, Taylor KT, Clark DM, Nelson RS, Cokley KO, Hagg HK.Prevalence, predictors, and treatment of impostor syndrome: a systematic review.J Gen Intern Med. 2020 Apr;35(4):1252-1275. doi:10.1007/s11606-019-05364-1Sawant NS, Kamath Y, Bajaj U, Ajmera K, Lalwani D.A study on impostor phenomenon, personality, and self-esteem of medical undergraduates and interns.Ind Psychiatry J. 2023 Jan-Jun;32(1):136-141. doi:10.4103/ipj.ipj_59_22Sawant NS, Kamath Y, Bajaj U, Ajmera K, Lalwani D.A study on impostor phenomenon, personality, and self-esteem of medical undergraduates and interns.Ind Psychiatry J. 2023 Jan-Jun;32(1):136-141. doi:10.4103/ipj.ipj_59_22Rice J, Rosario-Williams B, Williams F, West-Livingston L, Savage D, Wilensky JA, Landry A.Impostor syndrome among minority medical students who are underrepresented in medicine.J Natl Med Assoc. 2023 Apr;115(2):191-198. doi: 10.1016/j.jnma.2023.01.012

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

American Psychological Association.Imposter phenomenon.Feigofsky S.Imposter syndrome.HeartRhythm Case Rep. 2022 Dec 15;8(12):861-862. doi:10.1016/j.hrcr.2022.11.001Bravata DM, Watts SA, Keefer AL, Madhusudhan DK, Taylor KT, Clark DM, Nelson RS, Cokley KO, Hagg HK.Prevalence, predictors, and treatment of impostor syndrome: a systematic review.J Gen Intern Med. 2020 Apr;35(4):1252-1275. doi:10.1007/s11606-019-05364-1Sawant NS, Kamath Y, Bajaj U, Ajmera K, Lalwani D.A study on impostor phenomenon, personality, and self-esteem of medical undergraduates and interns.Ind Psychiatry J. 2023 Jan-Jun;32(1):136-141. doi:10.4103/ipj.ipj_59_22Sawant NS, Kamath Y, Bajaj U, Ajmera K, Lalwani D.A study on impostor phenomenon, personality, and self-esteem of medical undergraduates and interns.Ind Psychiatry J. 2023 Jan-Jun;32(1):136-141. doi:10.4103/ipj.ipj_59_22Rice J, Rosario-Williams B, Williams F, West-Livingston L, Savage D, Wilensky JA, Landry A.Impostor syndrome among minority medical students who are underrepresented in medicine.J Natl Med Assoc. 2023 Apr;115(2):191-198. doi: 10.1016/j.jnma.2023.01.012

American Psychological Association.Imposter phenomenon.

Feigofsky S.Imposter syndrome.HeartRhythm Case Rep. 2022 Dec 15;8(12):861-862. doi:10.1016/j.hrcr.2022.11.001

Bravata DM, Watts SA, Keefer AL, Madhusudhan DK, Taylor KT, Clark DM, Nelson RS, Cokley KO, Hagg HK.Prevalence, predictors, and treatment of impostor syndrome: a systematic review.J Gen Intern Med. 2020 Apr;35(4):1252-1275. doi:10.1007/s11606-019-05364-1

Sawant NS, Kamath Y, Bajaj U, Ajmera K, Lalwani D.A study on impostor phenomenon, personality, and self-esteem of medical undergraduates and interns.Ind Psychiatry J. 2023 Jan-Jun;32(1):136-141. doi:10.4103/ipj.ipj_59_22

Rice J, Rosario-Williams B, Williams F, West-Livingston L, Savage D, Wilensky JA, Landry A.Impostor syndrome among minority medical students who are underrepresented in medicine.J Natl Med Assoc. 2023 Apr;115(2):191-198. doi: 10.1016/j.jnma.2023.01.012

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