Stop Calling Yourself an Imposter: Why Self-Doubt in Women of Color Might Be A Systemic Issue
Is imposter syndrome a personal flaw or a response to systemic expectations? Explore why high achievers, BIPOC, and neurodivergent adults may find themselves feeling self-doubt in high-stress academic or workplace settings.
Picture it: You’re sitting in a work meeting. You’ve just given a presentation or shared your thoughts on a project and you look around to see nods and approving smiles. You should be proud, but what you actually feel is unease and apprehension. Self-doubt is taking hold: If they really knew how much I was struggling, or how hard I had to work to make this look easy, they’d realize I don't belong here.
We’ve heard the term before: imposter syndrome. Originally termed “imposter phenomenon,” it was developed in 1978 to describe an experience in which someone doubts their capabilities and fears being outed as a “fraud.” An individual may find themselves questioning whether they belong in the spaces in which they find themselves. Research suggests that women and members of marginalized groups tend to experience this phenomenon more frequently than others.
In my work with high achieving women of color, I often have clients sit with me and discuss a need to “overcome” the imposter syndrome they feel in their workplace. There’s this fear and sense of urgency to begin achieving before they can be “found out.” Often, the pressure to accomplish tasks in a certain timeframe isn’t even coming from management, it’s self-imposed. This makes me wonder:
What if the problem isn't that you’re an "imposter," but that you've been conditioned to feel like one?
What Causes Imposter Syndrome?
In previous blogs, I’ve talked about the internalized narrative that you have to be “twice as good to get half as much.” It would make sense that what we’re deeming “imposter syndrome” may be, at least in part, a response to systemic, cultural, and environmental experiences:
Navigating Spaces Not Built for You: If you are a BIPOC professional in a predominantly white institution, or a woman in a male-dominated field, the subtle (and explicit) messages telling you that you don't belong are real. Honestly, it kind of feels unfair to expect someone to feel 100% secure in an environment where they’re the “other.” It’s definitely possible to get to comfortability, but it’s understandable if that takes time.
“Masking” in Neurotypical Environments: For neurodivergent adults (ADHDers and Autistic professionals), years of hiding executive dysfunction or sensory overload just to pass in a neurotypical world can create the sensation of living behind a mask. The effort it takes to keep that mask on can be exhausting to the nervous system and can of course make you feel like someone will recognize you as an “imposter.”
Internalized Cultural & Family Scripts: Many high achievers grew up under the weight of hyper-independence or being the designated "strong one" in their family or community. When failure is culturally or financially framed as unthinkable, hyper-vigilance becomes your default survival setting. The pressure to be successful outweighs everything else.
Reframing Our Understanding of Workplace Self-Doubt
So, if imposter syndrome is actually something more complicated than we think, how can we shift our understanding of it? One thing I like to remind clients is that underlying the fears of being “caught,” is an actual desire to do well in their role. You didn’t get where you are without being conscientious and skilled. That’s important data.
Additionally, we can look at this as your nervous system’s attempt at keeping you safe. The urgency created from the fear of not performing essentially pushes you towards action and reduces the likelihood of experiencing the “failure” you fear. Being over-prepared means you’re less likely to experience criticism or punishment. It’s all super understandable and adaptable! Unfortunately, the strategy that may have protected you in the past is now driving you toward exhaustion, anxiety, and deep burnout.
Moving from Self-Fixing to Self-Compassion
What do we do with all of this? Well, one of the things often missing when people are struggling with imposter syndrome is self-compassion. Give yourself a break! Learning something new isn’t supposed to be smooth sailing from the very beginning. Our brains need time to integrate new information and to create neural pathways to support the work we’re doing.
We may have some unlearning to do, and that takes time. It’s about teaching your brain to separate perceptions of value and worthiness from productivity and perfection. Here are some places to start:
Check in with yourself: Ask yourself, “Is this feeling coming from my actual lack of skill, or is it a response to an environment that makes it hard to feel safe?”
Normalize Growing Pains: Remember, something being difficult doesn’t mean you’re incompetent. It means you’re doing something new and your brain needs time to learn. Take learning to drive for example; the first time you get behind the wheel is terrifying! There’s buttons and levers everywhere and a bunch of vehicles moving super fast all around you. It’s challenging and takes a lot of brain power to get the hang of it. But over time, you realize you don’t have to put nearly as much effort into the act of driving. Even if there are occasional challenges, it’s much smoother sailing than when you first started.
Develop Comfort With the Unknown: Practice letting go of the need to have every answer. Experiment with micro-moments of vulnerability, like asking for clarification, setting a boundary on your workload, or saying "I don't know, but I can find out." Notice what the actual response is, and compare that to the response you were afraid you’d get.
You Don't Have to Unpack This Alone
You don't need another productivity hack, a self-help book, or a lecture on "thinking positive." What you need is a safe, culturally affirming space to unpack the heavy expectations you’ve been carrying, honor the burnout you’re feeling, and redefine success on your own terms.
At Protea Psychological Services, we specialize in helping high-achieving professionals, BIPOC individuals, and neurodivergent adults move beyond performance and into genuine self-compassion.
If you’re ready to quiet the internal critic and reclaim your space, we’re here to walk alongside you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Imposter Syndrome
Is imposter syndrome a mental health diagnosis?
No. Imposter syndrome (originally called the "imposter phenomenon") is not an official mental health diagnosis or disorder in the DSM-5. It is a psychological experience characterized by chronic self-doubt, feeling unqualified, and fearing being exposed as a fraud.
How does systemic bias contribute to imposter syndrome?
Systemic bias, microaggressions, and a lack of representation in workplace environments signal to BIPOC individuals, women, and marginalized groups that they do not belong. These external cultural and environmental pressures create valid feelings of unsafety and self-doubt that are often mislabeled as individual imposter syndrome.
What is neurodivergent masking and how does it relate to imposter syndrome?
Neurodivergent masking occurs when individuals with ADHD or Autism suppress their natural traits, sensory needs, or executive dysfunction struggles to fit into neurotypical standards. Continuously performing to meet external expectations creates a chronic feeling of living behind a facade, which may trigger feelings of imposter syndrome.
How can therapy help high achievers with self-doubt?
Culturally affirming therapy helps high achievers unpack internalized family and cultural scripts (such as "twice as good" messaging), regulate the nervous system's response to workplace stress, uncouple self-worth from productivity, and replace hyper-vigilance with genuine self-compassion.
About the Author
Dr. LaTasha Miller is a licensed clinical psychologist and founder of Protea Psychological Services, specializing in trauma, burnout, and culturally responsive care for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ high-achieving adults. She offers individual therapy via telehealth in 40+ states and in-person sessions in Chicago, IL.