Imposter syndrome can be defined as a collection of feelings of inadequacy that persist despite evident success. 'Imposters' suffer from chronic self-doubt and a sense of intellectual fraudulence that override any feelings of success or external proof of their competence.

Does anyone ever have this? I feel like this about my job and it’s making me so depressed. Originally I got my job because my friend’s dad got me an internship. The Vice President really liked me so when I graduated he hired me full time as his assistant. After a year I wanted to switch departments so I talked to him about it, and ended up getting a huge promotion (that came with a 20% raise) because he gave me such a glowing recommendation.

Anyway, now I’m in this new job and I just feel like everything is almost “too good” and like I don’t deserve it. I have chronic physical health problems as well as severe anxiety and depression that is just debilitating sometimes. I’ve talked to my new boss about my physical health problems and he is so beyond sympathetic. He says always prioritize your health. Don’t worry. You’re doing a great job. You can work from home when you need to.

I work from home about once a week (which is how often everyone else in my department generally does too) but on the other days I always end up being like an hour late to work just because I always feel too sick to get up and go in in the morning. I space out so much during the day and procrastinate everything. My boss has no idea because he works out of a different office.

Because I’m a really fast and efficient worker when I try, and because (not to toot my own horn) I am actually very intelligent, I manage to get everything done and no one has ever complained about my performance. In fact, I keep getting PRAISED. Even when I’ve messed a few things up, I’ve apologized profusely and my boss starts telling me “hey, it happens, don’t you ever feel the need to apologize to me, we’re all here to help you grow and as long as you’re learning and trying your best that’s all we can ask of you.”

He’s just... so freaking NICE??? And honestly the nicer he is to me the more guilty I feel. I AM doing the best I can, truly. But I don’t think he comprehends how little I’m doing.

I feel like a fraud. Like theyre all too easy on me and too nice to me and I don’t deserve my job or my salary and like every praise I get just digs that knife in deeper.