End Impostor Syndrome
The hum of the ICU was pierced by alarms as vital signs jumped out of range. The patient lay sedated with tubes coming out of every orifice and lines extending attached to various machines supporting his failing organs. Removing the Bair Hugger, I saw bruises on his abdomen and legs, and blood oozing from any place his skin had been broken. I was called in to figure out why he was bleeding uncontrollably.
As I exited the exam room, the critical care team awaited me, eager to hear what I had to say. Reluctantly, I stepped forward to talk. The team wanted answers, and the truth was that I didn’t have any. I still had a lot of questions. And yet, I was supposed to be the expert.
In that moment, I felt like a fraud. I feared this would be the case that proved I didn’t belong in the role I had worked so hard to earn.
Have you ever felt this way? Maybe not during a consult, but perhaps giving a presentation, speaking up in a meeting, or facing a patient whose condition left you stumped.
What Impostor Syndrome Really Is
First described in 1978, impostor syndrome is the belief that your achievements aren’t truly deserved, that success is the result of luck, timing, or others’ help. Among U.S. physicians, nearly 60% report experiencing it at some point (Shanafelt et al., Mayo Clin Proc, 2022).
In simpler terms, impostor syndrome is a disconnect between what others believe about you and what you believe about yourself. It often shows up when you take on a new role or step into a higher level of responsibility: attending physician, assistant professor, “expert.” The title says you’ve arrived, but inside you may feel like you’re still trying to catch up.
The Cycle of Self-Doubt
Impostor syndrome rarely stands alone. It tends to be entangled with:
Perfectionism: Believing only flawless performance proves you deserve your role.
The Inner Critic: A voice that spots every mistake, warns you not to risk failure, and keeps you on edge.
Here’s how the cycle unfolds:
You set impossibly high standards.
You inevitably fall short (because perfection is unattainable).
Your inner critic pounces, reinforcing the fear that you’re a fraud.
To cope, you double down on perfectionism, which sets the cycle spinning again.
Breaking the Cycle: Four Steps
Build Real Confidence
Confidence isn’t just competence. It’s also about valuing yourself as a person, trusting your intuition, and aligning your actions with your values, even when it feels risky.
Calm Your Inner Critic
That critical voice is usually fear in disguise. Instead of fighting it, turn toward it with compassion: “I hear you. I know you’re scared. And I’ve got this.” Treating your inner critic like a scared child helps quiet the noise.
Check Your Expectations
Being an attending or an assistant professor doesn’t mean you must have all the answers. Expertise is knowing what you know, what you don’t, and asking the right questions.
Recognize and Celebrate Your Accomplishments
Celebration is not arrogance, it’s integration. Track your wins, however small. Say, “Yes, I did that. That result happened because of my work.” Over time, this process helps you take ownership of your contributions.
You Don’t Have to Stay Stuck
Impostor syndrome doesn’t have to be a rite of passage. By practicing self-compassion, quieting your inner critic, recalibrating expectations, and learning to recognize your worth, you can step into your expertise with clarity and confidence.
You’ve already proven you belong. Now it’s time to believe it.
Take the Next Step
If this resonates, I invite you to take my Impostor Syndrome Quiz. Based on validated research, this short quiz will help you discover how strongly impostor thoughts may be influencing your career and confidence.
✨ Take the quiz here and get insights into your results and start quieting your inner critic today.