Do I Have Imposter Syndrome? Plus Free Quiz

Many people think Imposter Syndrome is something that only affects those in a career with high responsibility or those who have struggled with self-belief in the past, but the reality is that it can affect anyone, regardless of their experience or qualifications. Because it is rooted in your relationship with yourself, it doesn’t discriminate.

Although Imposter Syndrome can affect anyone, there are some recurrent examples I see time and time again in coaching. In a professional setting, these are commonly during times of change or appraisal, such as:

• landing a new job or changing your role
• taking on additional tasks or responsibilities
• gaining a promotion
• moving to a different team or becoming a team leader
• when you have achieved an impressive success
• when you are distinguished for your efforts or win awards

Read on to learn how common this phenomenon truly is, how it links with social media use and why it often goes together with ADHD.

Far more common than you might think! Whether you’re a new professional or a proven leader, you’re not alone if you feel like everyone else around you has it together. In fact, studies suggest that around 70% of people experience Imposter Syndrome at some point in their careers. This means that if you’re feeling this way and covering up your feelings, it makes sense that other people may also be doing the exact same thing.

Recently, I was coaching a General Manager who felt like she couldn’t live up to the role she was in because she didn’t have experience in that industry. After her session with me, she started to share her story with others and was surprised at how many of the people she had been looking up to as her mentors admitted to having feelings of Imposter Syndrome.

Social media can easily stir up feelings of being an imposter. Platforms like LinkedIn often show only the highlights of other people’s careers—promotions, awards, and achievements. When you compare these curated moments to your daily challenges, it’s easy to feel like you don’t measure up. You might catch yourself thinking, “Everyone else seems to have it all together,” even when that’s far from the truth.

A study by Ben Marder and colleagues found that heavy LinkedIn use can increase imposter thoughts, especially for those prone to perfectionism or low self-esteem. The more you scroll through professional updates, the easier it becomes to focus on what you think you’re lacking. It’s a reminder that disconnecting now and then and focusing on real-world connections can help you find balance and put things into perspective.

If you’ve ever found yourself chasing perfection, you’re not alone. Perfectionism is a pattern I often see in people dealing with imposter syndrome. It’s not just about wanting to do well—it’s about avoiding any mistakes to prove, mostly to yourself, that you really belong.

Take John (not his real name), for example. When he got promoted, instead of feeling proud, he panicked. He believed his boss had overestimated him, so he started setting sky-high standards. Soon, he was working late every night, obsessing over details and missing deadlines in the process. It wasn’t long before sleepless nights took their toll, and that’s when John reached out to me.

Once John let go of the idea that everything had to be perfect, life became a lot easier—and he started thriving in his new role.

Imposter Syndrome doesn’t just stay in the workplace—it can affect your mental health, leaving you drained and overwhelmed. When you constantly doubt your abilities, the mental load of keeping up appearances can lead to burnout. It’s like running a marathon with no finish line—you’re exhausted but still pushing yourself to keep going.

This pressure often overlaps with anxiety or depression. You might feel like you’re always “on,” second-guessing yourself even when everything is going well.

While these feelings can be overwhelming for anyone, for those with ADHD, the complexities of Imposter Syndrome can add an extra layer of challenge.

While anyone can feel inadequate or experience self-doubt, Imposter Syndrome can hit particularly hard if you have ADHD. The challenges tied to ADHD can amplify these feelings and make them even harder to manage. Let’s explore four common ways ADHD might influence your experience of Imposter Syndrome.

1. Inconsistent Performance: Do you get frustrated because one day you’re sharp and focused, and the next, even the simplest tasks feel impossible? That inconsistency—so common with ADHD—can make it hard to meet expectations consistently, leaving you worried that others will see you as unreliable. It’s no wonder Imposter Syndrome creeps in when you feel like you’re constantly falling short, especially in fast-paced environments where others seem more “together.”

2. Perfectionism and Overcompensation: Do you feel like you have to work twice as hard just to prove your worth? For many people with ADHD, the fear of making mistakes can become overwhelming—like one misstep will confirm your worst fear: that you’re not good enough. This pressure to deliver flawless results creates a vicious cycle of stress and self-criticism. Even though perfection feels like the only way to hide your flaws, it often leaves you doubting your value more than ever.

3. Social Comparison: How often do you find yourself comparing your work or progress to others, only to feel like you come up short? This can be especially tough when staying organised or meeting deadlines feels like a constant battle. It’s easy to assume that everyone else has it figured out and you’re the only one struggling—it’s another trick Imposter Syndrome plays on you.

4. People-Pleasing Tendencies: Despite feeling overwhelmed, do you find it almost impossible to say “no”? People with ADHD often feel driven to gain approval from others, leading them to take on too much. The problem is that when you focus on meeting everyone else’s expectations, your own needs get pushed aside—and that can leave you feeling drained, resentful, and inadequate. Ultimately it can also lead to burnout.

If any of these patterns sound familiar, you’re not alone—and it’s not your fault. ADHD brings unique challenges that can fuel Imposter Syndrome, making it hard to trust your abilities even when you succeed. Whether it’s struggling with inconsistency, feeling trapped by perfectionism, comparing yourself to others, or overcommitting to please those around you, these experiences can take a serious toll on your self-worth.

However, recognising these patterns is the first step toward changing them. The more you understand how ADHD influences your thoughts and behaviours, the easier it becomes to catch those imposter feelings before they take over. You can begin to shift from doubt to self-acceptance, making space for the achievements and progress you may have overlooked.

Having learned to manage my own ADHD symptoms, I find many people come to me for support in navigating similar challenges. If you’d like some help understanding how ADHD affects you and finding ways to manage Imposter Syndrome, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Mostly ‘A’ answers: You have Imposter Syndrome and may have had it for some time now. Perhaps you suffer from depression and anxiety. You’re almost certainly experiencing strong feelings of self-doubt and fear in your work and possibly other areas of life. You may feel as though you’re on the verge of being exposed as a fraud, no matter how much you accomplish or how capable you truly are.

In short, feelings of not being good enough and fear of being found out are overwhelming your ability to enjoy and trust in your achievements. This mindset could be leaving you emotionally drained and constantly feeling like you have to prove yourself, even when you’ve already proven your worth. Speaking with a professional to sort through these feelings may help you to break the cycle.

Mostly ‘B’ answers: You’re experiencing Imposter Syndrome, where self-doubt is persistent and often overwhelming. You often worry about your competence and fear being exposed as less capable than others think, but you still push through responsibilities and tasks, albeit with hesitation. You are performing well in your role, but you still worry about not doing enough or meeting expectations.

You may spend extra, unnecessary energy trying to avoid mistakes or overthinking your work, which could be leading you down a path to self-questioning and a loss of confidence. It may be helpful to reach out to a professional for more support before Imposter Syndrome becomes unmanageable in your day-to-day life.

Mostly ‘D’ answers: It’s very unlikely that you have Imposter Syndrome. You have a strong sense of self-confidence and feel capable in your work and life. You embrace challenges and opportunities with a positive attitude, trusting that you have the skills and experience to succeed. Just be aware, for yourself and those you manage, the more successes you have, the greater the chance that insecurities might crop up.

So, keep an eye on that great level of confidence you currently have and check in every now and again that you are still trusting your abilities. If you find you’re starting to second guess yourself, holding back on speaking up, or avoiding stepping out of your comfort zone, don’t hesitate to talk to someone so that you can nip these symptoms in the bud.

Check out a range of Career and Life Quizzes I have created for you here.

If you are struggling with feeling authentic at work, you might be especially interested in my ‘Job Satisfaction‘ or ‘Career Change at 50‘ quizzes.

And if you have a quiz you’d like me to create please do get in touch.