In the manga/anime series Tokyo Ghoul, Ken Kaneki experiences a variety of psychological transformations upon being harmed by someone else and/or bringing harm to himself. The series features sights of Kaneki engaging in ghoul cannibalism, his body going out of control in spasms, him writhing in pain, and him horrified as he watches people murdered; and he attributes blame for everything undesirable in his life to the idea that he is weak.
In the manga/anime Sword Art Online (Alicization War of the Underworld), Kirigaya Kazuto experiences a state of unconsciousness that coincidentally involves having no sense of self. Kazuto ended up in such a state as a result of being knocked into a coma by an antagonistic character, suffering brain damage; and then, while living life inside of a virtual reality that has the potential of facilitating a full recovery, his brain became further inhibited after he witnessed the death of a friend, attributed blame for the friend’s death to himself, and was unable to forgive himself. The series features a sight of Kazuto using his hands to stab himself in the chest repeatedly, creating a hole that extends past his rib cage, exposing his heart, and bleeding heavily, as he makes statements that exemplify his inability to forgive himself.
Ken Kaneki in Tokyo Ghoul, engaging in cannibalism, and allowing various types ideas to cloud his judgment; and Kazuto in SAO, puncturing his chest repeatedly, with blood spewing out; are depictions of what it’s like to be your own biggest enemy.
These characters and their stories are resources that I can use for understanding how harmful the consequences of imposter syndrome are and/or can be. While it may not seem like that big of a deal to tell myself “You are weak,” “You are not strong enough,” “You are not skilled enough,” or “I don’t belong here” — it is an action that is quite violent, and bound to produce gory sights. If I don’t want myself to end up the main subject of a gory sight, I should take care to reflect on the feelings that compel me to think such things to myself, or to say such things to others; and develop a counterargument if possible.
Pasfut Trailblazing 