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.

 

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