My freshman year wasn’t terrible grades wise but certainly wasn’t as good as my sophomore and junior year. Starting sophomore year I had begun to receive treatment/medication for depression and social anxiety disorder, and these are the two things I blame for my “bad” GPA freshman year. Is this a valid reason, and how should I tell colleges this?
Have your guidance counselor address it in their LOR but be vague that you had an undiagnosed condition that has now been addressed.
I agree. Have your GC address it in their recommendation.
Also realize that colleges will see that you did well the rest of the time when taking harder courses, so they know you are ready for college.