[BONUS POST] Are You Haunted by Epistemic Insecurity?

The last themed bonus Q&A on Ontological Insecurity was a big hit, so I’ve made another one on Epistemic Insecurity.

Epistemic means “Of or relating to knowledge” and “Of or relating to belief.”

Insecurity is securely known to all, and, taken together, the phrase “Epistemic Insecurity” refers to a lack of confidence in one's knowledge, beliefs, or ability to understand and navigate the world.

This sense of self-doubt and uncertainty about one's judgment, expertise, and capacity for knowledge stems from various factors, including early experiences of intellectual shame or criticism, societal biases, stereotypes, or a lack of exposure to diverse perspectives and ways of knowing.

Maybe you can relate.

Me? I overrelate. 

For much of my life, I’ve suffered from a gnawing belief that I am not as smart as others, gleaned from early messaging about my poor academic performance and test-taking skills.

I’ve second-guessed my understanding of subjects, relied on the opinions of others, felt keenly unqualified for things even when I had the most experience.

I’ve judged my own beliefs, feared being wrong more often than feeling secure in my responses, and have felt ongoing anxiety about my intellectual abilities and potential for success in all settings outside my living room.

While I’m not 100 percent relieved from this chronic mental weight, I’m better able to sit with the discomfort until it passes.

Today’s bonus post answers four questions addressing different facets of epistemic insecurity.

Let’s dive in…

QUESTION

I constantly feel intellectually inferior to my colleagues and peers. They seem to grasp complex concepts effortlessly while I struggle to keep up. I'm afraid to contribute to meetings or even socially in conversations for fear of saying something stupid. How do I stop comparing my intelligence to others?

ANSWER

My most profound insights don't go in the free version—they're distilled from my 27 years in therapy, decades of independent study, and work as a mental health advocate. These frameworks and perspectives are reserved for readers committed to going deeper.

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