What IS Imposter Syndrome (Really)?

Let’s talk about something I get asked about all. the. time.

“What actually is imposter syndrome?”
And more importantly: “How do I know if I’ve got it?”

Great question. I’m Monique Bradley—storyteller, speaker, coach, and (at one point) full-blown imposter. Yes, me. The confident, sparkle-loving, mic-wielding woman you see today? I used to wake up with a pit in my stomach thinking, “Today’s the day someone figures out I actually have no idea what I’m doing.” Sound familiar?

If you’ve ever felt like that—like you’re one step away from being “found out”—you’re not alone.

So what is imposter syndrome?

Let’s break it down.

Imposter syndrome isn’t a mental health diagnosis. It’s not something that needs to be “treated.” And it’s definitely not a flaw in your character. It’s simply a syndrome, which literally means: a collection of symptoms.

In this case?
It’s a collection of feelings.
A pattern of beliefs.
It’s all the inner noise that tells you you’re not good enough, not smart enough, not ready enough—even when the evidence shows otherwise.

Beliefs are just stories. And stories can be rewritten.

Here’s something powerful I’ve learned through my own journey:
A belief is just a story we’ve told ourselves so many times, we mistake it for truth.

Let that sink in for a second.

So if imposter syndrome is built on a stack of unhelpful, outdated, or just plain mean stories we’ve absorbed over the years—we get to choose whether to keep telling them.

And the best part? You can write a new story. One where you’re not the imposter—you’re the expert. The leader. The perfectly imperfect, deeply capable human who actually knows their stuff.

Let’s be clear: It’s not a mental health disorder.

Even though imposter syndrome can feel overwhelming and impact our wellbeing, it’s not listed in the DSM-5 (the big fancy book that outlines diagnosable mental health conditions) (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
So no, you’re not “broken.” You’re just… human.

Researchers like Clance and Imes (1978), who first named the phenomenon, saw it primarily in high-achieving women. But since then, it’s become clear that imposter syndrome doesn’t care about gender, success level, or industry. It affects CEOs, artists, teachers, accountants, and yes—speakers like me.

Sakulku and Alexander (2011) point out that imposter syndrome shows up in many different ways, often alongside perfectionism, anxiety, or low self-esteem. But again—it’s not a mental illness. It’s a mindset. A way of thinking. And mindsets? Well, those can change.

So what do we do about it?

This is where the fun begins.

We start by becoming aware of those sneaky little thoughts that say “you’re not enough.” We shine a light on them. We say, “Hey, thanks for trying to keep me safe, brain—but I’ve got this.”

Then we build a new story.

✅ We celebrate our wins—even the tiny ones.
✅ We reframe failure as feedback.
✅ We talk about it (because shame shrinks in the light).
✅ And we remind ourselves daily that we are allowed to take up space.

Because we are.

You are.

Your Next Step

If imposter syndrome has been whispering in your ear lately, I want you to know this: It doesn’t get the final say.
You do.

You’re not a fraud. You’re a work in progress. And progress? That’s where all the good stuff lives.

Let’s rewrite the script. Reach out and let’s overcome Imposter Syndrome, one story at a time.

Email me to start the conversation: monique@moniquebradley.tv

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).

Clance, P. R., & Imes, S. A. (1978). The imposter phenomenon in high achieving women: Dynamics and therapeutic intervention. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice, 15(3), 241–247. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0086006

Sakulku, J., & Alexander, J. (2011). The impostor phenomenon. International Journal of Behavioral Science, 6(1), 73–92. https://doi.org/10.14456/ijbs.2011.6