Imposter syndrome is a phenomenon in which individuals have doubt in their own capacities and skills, despite the fact that they are performing adequately or even exceeding expectations.
This was according to Dr Thembelihle Dube, a clinical psychologist.
“So often these individuals [feel like] a fraud, and are waiting and wondering if people will actually discover that ‘I shouldn’t actually be where I am’,” said Dube.
Dube spoke on these issues during an Instagram live discussion about imposter syndrome. The discussion was hosted on Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Student Representative Council (SRC) Student Wellness Instagram page on 15 September. A total of 94 people engaged with the discussion, according to Makabongwe Kaseke, the SRC student wellness representative for 2020/2021.
Wellness Wednesdays
Dube was initially asked to host a single mental health talk focusing on mental health in black communities in April, according to Kaseke.
“She recommended that we do a series like we have now,” said Kaseke. “Each month [on a Wednesday], we discuss various topics, like grief, forgiveness [and] apologies.” The discussion series has been ongoing since May, according to Kaseke.
The discussion on imposter syndrome was the final Wellness Wednesday conversation under Kaseke’s term, and was hosted by Viwe Kobokana, the SRC chairperson for 2021/2022. The continuation of the online discussion series will depend on the incoming SRC student wellness representative for 2021/2022, said Kaseke.
The discussions have been recorded and are available for viewing on the SRC Student Wellness Instagram page, said Kaseke.
Imposter Syndrome
Kobokana told MatieMedia that she, as a black woman, felt doubt in applying for a leadership position. As such, she put forward the idea to host a Wellness Wednesday on imposter syndrome.
“I’m already in leadership, and wanting to take a step further in my leadership, I started doubting myself,” said Kobokana.
The online discussion was intended to give a platform to those students who might have similar experiences and feelings around imposter syndrome, according to Kobokana.
“There is such power in knowing that you are not the only person going through this and feeling those emotions,” said Kobokana.
Imposter syndrome is a phenomenon in which individuals have doubt in their own capacities and skills, despite the fact that they are performing adequately or even exceeding the expectation, according to Dr Thembelihle Dube. Imposter syndrome can appear in a number of different ways, according to Charl Davids, the deputy director at the Centre for Student Counselling and Development at Stellenbosch University. INFOGRAPHIC: Tina Ddamulira
Combatting imposter syndrome
One of the ways to deal with imposter syndrome is to question one’s thoughts, said Charl Davids, the deputy director at the Centre for Student Counselling and Development at Stellenbosch University.
“As you start to assess your abilities and take baby steps, question whether your thoughts are rational,” said Davids. “Does it make sense that you are a fraud, given everything that you know?”