Imposter Syndrome

DepictDave

DepictDave

Active member
What's your experience of imposter syndrome (i.e. doubting your diagnosis)? I've definitely had it a few times, but luckily for me my lifestyle keeps me mostly away from people, even before Covid hit. So because I wasn't exposed to other people much I didn't really compare myself to anyone else enough to start doubting. For me though, when I do get imposter syndrome it's more when thinking about what NTs would call "the severe end of the spectrum" and it's all too easy to forget the huge range of ways that autism can present itself in each individual.
 
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ProfessorWorm

Active member
I’m not sure imposter syndrome is the correct term, but I struggle with feeling like I’m a ‘proper’ autistic. I realize that there is no one way to be autistic, but I tend to feel like I’m not quite autistic and not quite NT. I’m relatively new to the community so I’m hoping with time it will fade as I acclimate to autistic culture and cease masking as much, but it is very hard.
 
Tim P.

Tim P.

New member
I get you totally with that. I don't always fit the mould. For example, I speak in metaphors and similes a lot, and this seems to go against the 'literal' way we are supposed to interpret the world. This seems to be the most effective way of communicating my thoughts and feelings to people, especially emotions. I suppose this could be interpreted as a form of 'masking' though if I'm honest, I find the whole masking thing, if that's what it is, to be easier than just being myself. My recent experiences with being open about being autistic has resulted in workplace situations where I am treated as though I am thick or not capable of handling any kind of responsibility. I have lived independently since I was seventeen, and I often think in terms of how it affects my day-to-day life. Am I impaired? How can I have survived so long on my own if I am impaired? Then I just look at how little I have achieved and what a car crash my life has been and I feel a little less of an imposter.
 
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Thunderchild

Moderator
It can be odd. I have just been diagnosed with ADHD yet I'm not bouncing off walls although I see how it affects me. As someone who has come so far by myself it's kind of funny to think that things could be improved with meds. I have come to the conclusion that I have been putting all of my brain power into forcing myself to not be impulsive or to stay concentrated and otherwise miss on other things.
 
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OliviaSB

New member
I definitely do, being diagnosed as an adult and presenting as female. It helps me to remember that high and low functioning are relative terms and don't effectively describe how we can have difficulties with different things. e.g. I have pretty good executive functioning but struggle with communication, and all of this can go down if I'm feeling very overwhelmed.
 
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r.mcgowan-griffin

New member
Imposter syndrome is a huge issue for me, and it has got worse the more I have achieved. I've done lots in my life, and on paper, I can sound really good, but I feel like I could never live up to the impression it gives as I am actually struggling all the time.

Even though I was diagnosed ASD (Asperger's) about 15 years ago, I have never disclosed to any employer. I've always tried to hide it and toe the line, with mixed levels of success. I think this contributes to the imposter feeling, as I have to try to be something I am not in order to try to keep the job. It's exhausting and I have been unable to stick most roles for very long.
 
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Rfiennes80

New member
As I am an actor in my spare time I wear a lot of different masks, but its hard for me to be truly me as the real me has very low self esteem is always anxious and afraid of taking risks and rarely socialises forever single but the imposter me is always welcome at parties and enjoys socialising I don't want to be dull I want to be interesting extrovert eccentric .