I have anxiety. I know I do, my parents (including my anxiety-diagnosed mother) agree that I do, my friends (many of whom have anxiety disorders) agree that I do - it’s a part of me, I am absolutely 100% sure that I have an anxiety disorder. However, I’ve never been formally diagnosed. My parents have always been reluctant to actually get me diagnosed or professionally helped at all. Don’t give me a lecture on self-diagnosis because I know myself and I know that I suffer from anxiety.
Because of my anxiety, it took me years to work up the courage to join any clubs - I didn’t join any until junior year when I finally worked up the nerve to apply to NHS and a few others. I’m worried that colleges will see that I didn’t join clubs until junior year and they’ll think that I suddenly piled on EC’s in a last-minute attempt to look good for college. So I figured I could explain somehow in my app that I suffered from some pretty terrible social anxiety/panic attacks for the first 2 years of high school and overcame them to join clubs. I’m not planning on making it a big sob story or a focal point of any essay, just some brief mention because I want them to know that I’m not lazy, I was just a terrified shy little 14/15 year old.
Will they know that I haven’t actually been diagnosed w/ anxiety?? It’s been a significant obstacle in my life and I’d hate for it to be dismissed just because my parents didn’t want to take me to a professional.
It is generally not advisable to mention psychological issues in college applications. College admissions officers may be concerned as to whether or not your condition will effect your health and your ability to function at school.
It is not something to be ashamed of but not something to highlight either.
For full disclosure I have anxiety issues and post traumatic stress disorder.
You have great stats, 400 hours of community service and are the Editor-in-Chief of your school newspaper. There is no need, and you should resist the urge, to mention your anxiety disorders on your applications. You will have greater success not mentioning them, IMO.
Once you are on your own and away at school, consider seeing a psychiatrist for your anxiety. With help, many people are able to successfully manage anxiety. But trying to do it on your own, under the stress of adjusting to college, is risky.
I was the same as you. I applied this last year (however the only difference is that while my parents always knew I had fewer than average friends and didn’t excel in social events… they never really confronted me about a disorder although I am fairly sure I have ADD of some sort). I did not mention it because my EC’s were ALRIGHT (not too good though), and I didn’t want it to become some sort of issue the look at. I had a dodgy little marketing internship (although my major was engineering) and I was the treasurer of a cinema club that my friend started and was later put on probation for lack of meetings. I also claimed to have 300 hours to community service. I don’t see where MidwestDad3 found that you are editor in chief and have 400 hours, but I will assume that is true. Taking that into consideration, I would not mention your disorder as you have pretty good EC’s.