“They’re All Going to Find Out I’m a Fraud!” Combatting Impostor Syndrome in the Gifted Brain

Paper

Impostor Syndrome is a psychological pattern where a person doubts their fitness, devalues their accomplishments, and fears being “discovered to be fraud.” It is a common pattern in gifted and other neurodivergent individuals and can be intensely dysregulating and unpleasant. Impostor Syndrome is created by a maladaptive pattern of cognition and social comparison that can have negative impacts on academic performance, social skills, activity engagement, and self-esteem. The differences in the gifted brain make it more susceptible to these feelings, and the session will address these factors to increase awareness. This session will define Impostor Syndrome, explore some symptoms of it both internally and externally, and give techniques on how to blunt its impact. Impostor syndrome responds well to cognitive exercises, experiential techniques, and emotional regulation, so there are many areas for practitioners to use for intervention, regardless of whether they are teachers, parents, or mental health professionals. Participants will be encouraged to learn how to check their thinking, practice self-compassion, and give themselves credit for the work that they have already done while appreciating the work that is left to do. Additionally, the participants will receive resources to aid them in their continued journey of moving away from impostor syndrome into a happier, more functional life.