Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome is the feeling that your achievements aren’t real — like you’ve somehow tricked people into thinking you’re capable, smart, or qualified, and that it’s only a matter of time before you’re found out.

Even when there’s clear evidence of success — good feedback, results, qualifications — the feeling persists.

It might sound like:

• “I just got lucky.”
• “They’re overestimating me.”
• “If they knew the real me, they wouldn’t think I belonged here.”

For neurodivergent people, imposter syndrome can be especially common. It might come from years of masking, feeling misunderstood, or growing up without the kind of validation that others seemed to receive. It can also show up after a diagnosis, when someone looks back and questions how they managed without support — or whether they even ‘deserve’ the label.

Imposter syndrome isn’t a personal flaw. It’s often a response to being in environments where you’ve had to work harder to be heard, seen, or accepted.

Naming the feeling is a start. So is talking about it — not to prove yourself, but to remind yourself that you’re already more than enough.