Overcame nervous instability (anxiety, panic attacks), should I refer this in interviews or even CV?

Shortly giving you a background: (I know it's long but there's no way short. I'm sorry)

I'm from Lisbon, Portugal and when I finished high school I had all arranged to study in the United States but the financial crisis made me cancel all of it because the loan interests were sky rocketing. I ended up studying in Portugal but that period of time (end of high school and 1st year of college) was a little rough for my (despite school I had a little family issues) and my nervous system didn't last and suddenly one day I felt horrible limited symptoms of what I would discovered later that I had panic attacks (imprevisible triggered symptoms for no reason or no extrinsic stress).

I lost 6 years trying to overcame the fogg that came to my mind with shit medications but during that time I did 3 summer interships in well known places, got one recommendation letter, I run a business student organization for a year and a half, I played basketball for my college during 2 years but with that fogginess in my mind I couldn't study as before and I felt really really slow!

This last semester I overcame all of this, no meds, no shit made just to bring you down. I've been stronger than ever, and I control stress in a way that I've never did before. Some people also ask me how can I deal with things with such patience.

Sorry for this lame introduction but, my question is: Should I refer this issue that I overcame? I tried at the same time not levaing a "hole" in my CV. I did those things that I said not with my full capacities but I did. I'm just a little afraid of what people can judge from my situation in job opportunities.

I'm finishing college at 28 years old and I also don't know if I should do immediatly a Masters in Finance or get a job before because if I take a masters immediatly I will end graduate school with 30 years old.

If you had the kidness to read all this, your help will be a huge boost!

All the best to you! And keep digging into Finance ;)

2 Comments
 

First off, congratulations for overcoming that; it can't be easy.

With respect to bringing it up, I would say probably not. From what I have heard, it's not too abnormal for someone to start an analyst role in mid/late 20's in the EU, so I don't think that you are at a huge disadvantage. If someone asks about the gap, I would just say something like family issues; there isn't a need to get super specific.

 

Blanditiis velit a sunt eaque est. Qui quia et nesciunt. Facere quae maxime sed consequuntur quia. Illum voluptatem recusandae est aut.

Velit facilis unde vel voluptate est quis. Eaque laborum voluptatem sunt odit. Nemo natus ut aut delectus et error cum delectus. A eveniet quod illum rem ut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”