<p>Hey, so I premeds have somewhat of a reputation for being neurotics ><! I figure that medical schools like above anything students who are well-rounded, consistent, reliable. And I'm worried that I'm nothing like that--during high school I had disordered eating and during the first two years of college I pretty much lost my mind. I've always been able to cope enough to be on the Dean's list and be involved in ECs--so I've pretty much been ok but never that spectacular, on-top of things, and able fully competent premed; and since, I've "become better" (I never sought professional help or confided in family mainly because I did NOT want a paper record), my grades and involvement are better too. </p>
<p>I realize that a lot of people go through some anxiety and stress craziness as a premed (meaning I wouldn't not believe anyone who would say my situation was normal) but I also know that my mental state was far from sane during those years (it scares me to remember some of the things I would think about and how badly I treated myself). And as far as I know, no one (i.e. friends) know how bad the situation got or even that there was a situation to begin with.</p>
<p>I also realize that some of my emotional state was very selfish and stupid, but I'm really worried about having to account for my life during those years (i.e. why wasn't I better? what did I waste all my time doing---omg obsessing over food that I would not eat, running all the time etc--why was even that disturbed in the first place) </p>
<p>I mean if I were on the admissions committee, I really wouldn't accept me as a student...I mean who wants a doctor who wasn't "all there" at some point? Especially, when I hang out with my friends (many premeds) who have had the same classes (and stress) as me but have done and coped so much better.</p>
<p>Does anyone know how I could talk about this in a professional context? If I would be able to avoid it? Does anyone know how medical schools would view this?</p>
<p>How are your stats? I.e. Mcats and gpa. If they are reasonable for us med schools I think you are fine not suggesting it. Mentioning it seems like a negative to me, but some may say that it is actually good because you still turned out to do well. I just suggest not mentiong it.</p>
<p>" A lot of doctors in psychiatry see psychiatrists… "</p>
<p>Regardless of the validity of this statement, it is a very bad idea to go mentioning any sort of mental health d/o (even suspected/undiagnosed) on an application. It will bring up questions of your ability to finish medical school and obtain licensure. While the stigma against mental illness may not be justified, it is still there and I would suggest avoiding it to begin with. Your story of overcoming a mental illness could be seen in a positive light; however, its potential to cast you in a negative light seems, IMO, to be too major to take that risk. The fact is that mental illnesses tend to all be highly correlated in their occurrence and, therefore, it may be questioned whether you are likely to develop another illness later once stressors have been applied in med school (this is a known trigger for mental illness). My suggestion would be simply to leave the details of your mental health Hx private and confidential for the time being. OTH, if, at any time during medical school, you feel the need to get help or suspect your previous symptoms may be returning, please do not hesitate to go to your school’s counseling office and make an apt to get help as the longer something like that continues untreated the more difficult it is to treat later on and the worse your overall prognosis is likely to be.</p>
<p>I would stress that you were able to identify your weaknesses on your own and correct them. I would show your current maturity level. I would not use words like mental instability or craziness, rather “not mature, became more mature”. Understanding of choice of words being used to communicate shows maturity level also.</p>