top of page

"Some come with imposter syndrome but don’t present it that way. They come with a lot of self doubt and when they are presented with the idea of having imposter syndrome, they do relate,” Ebeling said. 

Before my research I didn’t know that imposter syndrome doesn't assume one form. I always believed only people who thought they were not good enough were the ones with imposter syndrome. Because I was  proud of my accomplishments, I thought I did not suffer from it. However, I couldn’t be more wrong.

This was also the case for Lauren, a business major at the University of North Florida, who wishes to keep her surname private. She always excelled at school but juggled a lot outside of it, like sports and valuing her time with family. This balancing act came with its stressors.

When I asked  Lauren if she suffered from imposter syndrome she replied unhesitatingly, “I’ve never really had imposter syndrome.” 

Yet, she admitted, “I just feel like I set too high of goals for myself and when I don't reach them I get upset.”

When unmasking the layers of imposter syndrome, someone like Lauren, who does not think she has this condition, may be surprised to find that she does. Although she previously stated she never had imposter syndrome, she is exhibiting signs of such.

NEXT: 
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE MADNESS

bottom of page