Do you have ‘career dysmorphia’?

From the constant LinkedIn updates of ex-colleagues climbing the corporate ladder, to friends hitting career milestones or landing their dream roles . . . it’s easier than ever to feel professionally “behind.”

There’s a name for that feeling you can’t shake: career dysmorphia.

You’ve probably heard of body dysmorphia (an actual medical diagnosis) or money dysmorphia (not a medical diagnosis). Career dysmorphia is an anecdotal term that follows a similar line of thinking: a disconnect between someone’s professional achievements and their perception of their worth.

Some classic signs: You hold back from going for promotions because you feel unprepared, even when others insist you’re more than capable. You keep collecting certifications and degrees—not out of ambition, but from a lingering