Disclosing Mental Health Problems?

[vacutie]

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I am wondering whether to disclose my mental health history in applying to medical school. I was diagnosed with Bipolar Affective Disorder and missed a whole year of school as a result. I still managed to graduate 4 years after matriculation and believe I have my condition under control. I consider my experience with mental illness a strength rather than a weakness, but I am uncertain that medical schools will feel the same. I am worried that I will be viewed as "too big of a risk" and passed up for other, "more stable" applicants. Any advice??

 

[Mutt]

I think the fact that you are mature enough to have it under control and to the extent that you are competitive for medical school is well worth disclosing. It shows a tremendous amount about your abilities despite having something so disabling.

 

[LizzyM]

If you missed a year of school, you are going to need to explain that on your application. How much detail you leave out is up to you. You could be vague and say a health condition. This is "sensitive health information" and it shouldn't be disclosed (in a LOR, for example) without your explicit consent. I'd be very careful about letting the genie out of the bottle.

Whether adcoms would view you as a risky prospect would depend on what they know about the disease and what their perception is of the probability of relapse and their estimation of the likelihood that a relapse would result in a bad outcome for you and/or the school. An adcom may also have had some prior experience with students with this condition and depending on whether the student did well, or not, may color their perception.

 

[prana_md]

I wrote about being depressed in my personal statement last year, and I think it might have hurt my application. I also applied late, but I don't think mentioning mental illness helped my application.

Too bad, because I'm very committed to being "out" about my depression, fighting stigma, etc. I wish we could write about it.

I might mention it in secondaries if they specifically ask you to talk about a challenge you've overcome -- seems like an acceptable answer. I talked about it in an interview where they asked me the "challenge" question and they really liked my answer ... but not enough to accept me! 🙁

I recently asked my psychiatrist about my obligation to disclose my hospitalization, and she said that school could *absolutely not* ask me about it.

Good luck -- stay strong. I think you will make a better doctor for your experience. 😍

 

[ajf211]

I agree with you 110% that you are stronger and more mature after dealing with a mental health condition, and I applaud your strength and perserverance. However, I would be immensely cautios about disclosing your status. If I were in your boat, I would not. I would tell the Admissions committees that you were ill, and now you are better. Why? Because people are stupid and judgemental...oh, and ignorant. Even though some of these people are doctors, they may still harbor untrue and antedelluvian ideas about bipolar disorder. Remember, they will not be as educated as you in the subject, and they may judge you. It is wretchedly unfair, but this may happen and I would hate to see you denied admission because people are dumb and uneducated. I am a type I diabetic...it has affected my life greatly-made me want to go into medicine, and I had interviewers ask me if I could "handle" the pressure of medical school, and then look at me doubtfully after my response. I did get a few acceptances, but I felt very exposed and silly for putting myself out there. I hope this helps. I think you will do great in med school, and that your experience will make you a far more compassionate doctor, but I would keep your private affairs private.
Good Luck,
Alexis

I am wondering whether to disclose my mental health history in applying to medical school. I was diagnosed with Bipolar Affective Disorder and missed a whole year of school as a result. I still managed to graduate 4 years after matriculation and believe I have my condition under control. I consider my experience with mental illness a strength rather than a weakness, but I am uncertain that medical schools will feel the same. I am worried that I will be viewed as "too big of a risk" and passed up for other, "more stable" applicants. Any advice??

 

[Mutt]

While thoughtful, I don't think this is on.

They cannot discriminate against you based on health problems, which this is.

Saying you were simply "ill" is not going to cut it because they will surely ask you what you had.

Now, decide if you're going to lie at that instant or be honest and have them see you as trying to hide something you're ashamed of; a sign of immaturity.

Just disclose it and be ready to talk candidly about it.

Overcoming adversity <---they eat that stuff up.

I agree with you 110% that you are stronger and more mature after dealing with a mental health condition, and I applaud your strength and perserverance. However, I would be immensely cautios about disclosing your status. If I were in your boat, I would not. I would tell the Admissions committees that you were ill, and now you are better. Why? Because people are stupid and judgemental...oh, and ignorant. Even though some of these people are doctors, they may still harbor untrue and antedelluvian ideas about bipolar disorder. Remember, they will not be as educated as you in the subject, and they may judge you. It is wretchedly unfair, but this may happen and I would hate to see you denied admission because people are dumb and uneducated. I am a type I diabetic...it has affected my life greatly-made me want to go into medicine, and I had interviewers ask me if I could "handle" the pressure of medical school, and then look at me doubtfully after my response. I did get a few acceptances, but I felt very exposed and silly for putting myself out there. I hope this helps. I think you will do great in med school, and that your experience will make you a far more compassionate doctor, but I would keep your private affairs private.
Good Luck,
Alexis

 

[LizzyM]

Where do you see anything stating that medical schools can not discriminate based on "health problems"? If the health problem rises to the level of a disability and if the student still has the capacity to perform the technical tasks required in medical school, then the applicant might be able to bring action against the school based on the Americans with Disabilities Act. But by definition being disabled means being unable to perform one or more routine functions required in daily life (that isn't the exact wording of the legistlation but that's the gist of it). So, if the applicant claims to be cured of the prior mental health condition, then they aren't disabled. If they are disabled, then it could be argued by the medical school that 1) the applicant's disabilty woudl preclude being able to perform adequately in medical school or 2) the applicant was not academically qualified for admission and the prior illness is red herring. All in all, a big mess. Much safer to say, "lost a year of school due to illness" and wait and see if anyone is going to ask. My bet: they wont' go there becasue it is too personal a question.

 

[LadyGrey]

Tough question indeed. I took a year off due to psych treatment, and I share prana_md's desire to be open and not perpetuate stigma.

First time that I applied, didn't say anything in my app, and got asked in some of my few interviews not about taking time off but about some lousy grades I had. Which put me on the spot more than it should've, and led me to disclose my history anyway as they were somewhat caused by being on ridiculously high doses of antidepressant medication that made me too tired to keep up with going to class and doing work. (And, I think, lingering memory effects of ECT, but I had the sense not to mention that in an interview).

Second time I applied I decided I needed to broach the subject of grades in my PS, and made it a very small part of what I think was a kickass "this is what I've been through and this is why I am so much stronger for it" statement. I felt like I was taking control of the subject and putting it in my terms. It's hard to say whether this helped or hurt -- I wound up in roughly the same position, with a bunch of rejections and some waitlists. But a student interviewer at MCW and a faculty interviewer at UVM both mentioned the statement and really liked it and seemed to get out of it what I intended. Not enough to accept me outright, though.

So my advice would be, if you feel strongly about mentioning your experiences, do so -- but very carefully. With the format of AMCAS, they might not notice a year off unless you point it out. (No one seemed to in my case). If you decide to mention it, let friends or family read your statement and see what they think of it. I'd be happy to read it as well; if you'd like to see mine, I'd be glad to email it to you.

 

[All4MyDaughter]

I've struggled with clinical depression for years, and postpartum depression as well. Nothing to be ashamed of, whatsoever. I talk freely about it with friends and family.

Still, as with any personal characteristic that has the potential to bring up negative stereotypes in the minds of others, I'd be very cautious about bringing it up in the context of the admissions process.

People carry both conscious and unconscious prejudices about many things: religion, sexual orientation, mental illness, politics etc. While these are personal issues that should not matter at all in work and educational settings - it is darn near impossible for people to completely compartmentalize strong feelings they may have one way or the other.

My solution? Leave this stuff out of it. While I'd love to change the hearts and minds of people who I view as narrowminded on one issue or another, the professional school admissions process is not the proper forum. Concentrate on your academic credentials, work experience, motivation for becoming a doctor.

If you are asked about your year off, it's perfectly fine to explain that you were ill. If you are asked for more details, you can tell them it's personal. If you'd had prostrate or ovarian cancer, no one would have a right to the gory details about it. Same with mental illness.

Don't give someone an excuse to use their biases (conscious or unconcious) against you. Concentrate on what you really need to get across: your qualifications.

Just my opinion!

 

[bornguitar]

I'd be careful about mentioning it as well. My father has bipolar, which I mentioned in my ps, and I was told by a few professors who read my application to done down what I was discussing about my father's condition. They told me that Adcom are aware that bipolar is genetic and that they may look negatively upon my application due to this, which I thought was ridiculous. However, I still got in this year and I don't see any reason why u can't either. Just be careful how much you mention

 

[shuey123]

As someone with social anxiety, I had the same question. I think I am not going to write about it in the essay but I will definitely talk about it in interviews (if I ever get any 🙂 ). If your scared about discrimination, maybe you should try to hint that you are nervous about mentioning it because of their judgment ....maybe that`l hinder them from discriminating......Also, if you do mention it, try to be enthusiastic about the positive effects and convince them that it actually tought you about life etc'......

 

[ElizabethMD]

I have bipolar disorder as well. I think that my best advice and guidance has come from my own psychiatrist. He's been extremely encouraging and recently informed me that he knows of someone w/ bipolar who was accepted to several medical schools. I'm not sure what the level of disclosure was though. He told me that he does know of some residents and attendings in my area that have bipolar disorder. He told me that medical school admissions "love adversity". I agree that your experiences are a strength. I feel that having dealt with this illness myself will make me a better psychiatrist. As far as disclosing...do what makes you feel comfortable. I will probably be disclosing because so many of my extracurriculars have related to mental health advocacy work at my school. Not discussing this work would be like hiding a very important piece of myself. I also have to explain some time off and some grades that could have been better.

 

[mercaptovizadeh]

Don't mention it. There is a bias against the so-called mentally ill. There is a level of dehumanization that happens - people lose control over their lives, they are subjected to inhumane "treatments," etc.

It DEFINITELY is not seen in the same light as physical illness. I would consider whether the condition does or doesn't incapacitate you to be a good and trusted physician. If it doesn't, I would apply and not mention it. Afterall, illness (or "mental illness") is private, so these schools are not entitled to you spilling everything before them and them turning up their noses on you.

Btw, I am horrified by the genetic comment. That is simply outrageous.

 

[prana_md]

Sorry ... an aside ... LadyGrey, you got ECT? Me too! It worked really well for me but my short-term memory is terrible. My desk is littered with post-its reminding me to do things half an hour from now. 😛

 

[SuperTrooper]

Vacutie. I want to congratulate you on getting a handle on your illness. Also, I seriously admire your positive attitude, and how you consider your experience a "strength." 👍 I'd like to make a few comments, particularly about this quote:

While thoughtful, I don't think this is on.

They cannot discriminate against you based on health problems, which this is.

Saying you were simply "ill" is not going to cut it because they will surely ask you what you had.

Now, decide if you're going to lie at that instant or be honest and have them see you as trying to hide something you're ashamed of; a sign of immaturity.

Just disclose it and be ready to talk candidly about it.

Overcoming adversity <---they eat that stuff up.

Oh dear, i feel this advice is very naïve. As people have mentioned before, mental illness has a stigma associated with it unfortunately. And physicians/med schools are not above this prejudice. In my opinion, you should avoid discussing this issue at all costs. You are not lying by not talking about it, nor are you "immature." 🙄 Medical schools think of themselves first, not fuzzy discrimination issues. In my opinion, schools would look negatively on prior mental health issues because they fear things like: suicide, academic difficulties during school, etc. that might affect their reputation. And that story about the individual whose father had bipolar disorder - I don't think that's an extreme example. I wish you and everybody else the best of luck!

 

[LocutusofBorg]

My gut feeling tells me that its probably a bad idea to disclose this. I agree wholeheartedly, that your experience will make you a really great physician! However, life is not fair. I once was offered a job, then it the offer was rescinded a day before my signing, because I called HR and asked about health insurance programs. They became scared that I would be a potential liability. Of course they made up a cover story to hide the real reasons for such a drastic move.

Overcoming adversity is important, and I encourage you to "come out" once you are in and performing fantastically. But until then, I would keep it hush... Because while it is against the law to discriminate against illness, in a highly comepetitive and subjective selection process, prejudice and prudence can easily get mixed up.

 

[dianamd]

I am wondering whether to disclose my mental health history in applying to medical school. I was diagnosed with Bipolar Affective Disorder and missed a whole year of school as a result. I still managed to graduate 4 years after matriculation and believe I have my condition under control. I consider my experience with mental illness a strength rather than a weakness, but I am uncertain that medical schools will feel the same. I am worried that I will be viewed as "too big of a risk" and passed up for other, "more stable" applicants. Any advice??

I don't think you should mention your bipolar disorder.

First of all, while schools cannot legally discriminate against mental illness, they would not be blatantly discriminating against you... it would be more like, hmm, we have these two equally good candidates, let's go with person X and not Y.

Second, I would read (probably you have read it already) "An Unquiet Mind" by Kay Jamison. She is a Johns Hopkins prof who has bipolar disorder, and throughout the book (especially in the chapter about Academic Medicine, I think) she talks about the challenges of staying on a medical faculty while having bipolar. Of course her case is made easier because she is a recognized scholar. If you read it, i think you'll see how the bipolar disorder will probably be a lifetime issue for you in medicine-- such as making sure you have support and people who will call your psych. dr. if they feel you are losing it. But you can overcome the issue, for sure. read the book by Jamison if you haven't already-- I promise it will be helpful to you.

The last thing: yes, i think that at some schools you would be passed up for more stable applicants-- of course you would, since this process is so arbitrary. at other schools, I think that the right person might appreciate your experience. but in my experience, they will take the safe bet rather than the interetersting, take-a-chance-on-me applicant. idiotic, but true.

If you absolutely want to refer to the bipolar disorder in your application, maybe you can think of a compromise, like "family health issues"-- to make it clear that you have some personal intense experiences, but without making it about you... I think that on average the schools might look at it like a risk, despite the fact that it was a great learning experience, etc.

my feeling is that you don't need to tell anyone about this, until your a physician and people are under your care.

sorry this may not come off clearly, but i am tired and working right now.

 

[Rebecca121480]

I am wondering whether to disclose my mental health history in applying to medical school. I was diagnosed with Bipolar Affective Disorder and missed a whole year of school as a result. I still managed to graduate 4 years after matriculation and believe I have my condition under control. I consider my experience with mental illness a strength rather than a weakness, but I am uncertain that medical schools will feel the same. I am worried that I will be viewed as "too big of a risk" and passed up for other, "more stable" applicants. Any advice??

I've been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder for the past several years. Mine sounds like a similar experience to yours. I consider it a major reason for my motivation to become a doctor; I believe I overcame adversity, etc. But, on the advice of several mentors who are successfully practicing physicians, as well as med school students I spoke with, I did NOT disclose any information on my application.
And I got in! Whether putting it in or not wouldve changed that, I don't know.
-

 

[fateema368]

Just to add my voice to chorus--I wouldn't do it. Diversity is a class full of students with a non traditional background, those who've chosen medicine as a second career, not crazy people. Granted you may have sought help, are in recovery/managing illness to the best of your ability-but they are looking for the most stable candidates, ones who appear to be able to handle the full burden of stress, loss, and emotional strain within the medical profession, so the bottom-line is; unless you are an absolutely stellar candidate in all other aspects, don't give them any reason to doubt your abilities. There are times to be honest and utilize a full disclosure, and there are times not to, this is one of the times to use discretion.

Tell them you sought treatment for a medical condition, u have recovered and have every confidence in your ability to handle the stresses of medical school.---You may even emphasis that the earlier sickness, prepared you to handle adversity and triumph blah blah blah, but don't mention said sickness, or prior mental instabilities of any sort.

 

[premed]

I am wondering whether to disclose my mental health history in applying to medical school. I was diagnosed with Bipolar Affective Disorder and missed a whole year of school as a result. I still managed to graduate 4 years after matriculation and believe I have my condition under control. I consider my experience with mental illness a strength rather than a weakness, but I am uncertain that medical schools will feel the same. I am worried that I will be viewed as "too big of a risk" and passed up for other, "more stable" applicants. Any advice??

This is an easy one. DO NOT mention this on your AMCAS application or interview unless you are specifically asked why you missed a whole year of school. Like many others who posted, I am sure you have learned a lot from this experience, but I honestly think it will hurt you. Every practicing physician knows how rigorous medical school is and all have faced some sort of mental challenges during this time. If they can find a reason why you might not be able to handle the pressure of medical school, I think it will hurt your application. I know there is some legal issues against using someone's medical history to bias an application but that is complete BS. I've known of admissions committees rejecting an applicant because a guy's hair was too spikey or someone didn't smile enough. I've talked to many advisors regarding personal issues and ALL have told me to not mention things like this. I really hope you decide not to mention it and your application goes well. Good luck!

 

[tank you]

This is an easy one. DO NOT mention this on your AMCAS application or interview unless you are specifically asked why you missed a whole year of school. Like many others who posted, I am sure you have learned a lot from this experience, but I honestly think it will hurt you. Every practicing physician knows how rigorous medical school is and all have faced some sort of mental challenges during this time. If they can find a reason why you might not be able to handle the pressure of medical school, I think it will hurt your application. I know there is some legal issues against using someone's medical history to bias an application but that is complete BS. I've known of admissions committees rejecting an applicant because a guy's hair was too spikey or someone didn't smile enough. I've talked to many advisors regarding personal issues and ALL have told me to not mention things like this. I really hope you decide not to mention it and your application goes well. Good luck!

ok, i agree with what you are saying, but what if their problem caused them to get bad grades or things of that sort? how else are they supposed to explain their problems in academics?

 

[premed]

ok, i agree with what you are saying, but what if their problem caused them to get bad grades or things of that sort? how else are they supposed to explain their problems in academics?

From what I understand, the OP missed 1 year of school because of his/her mental illness. I don't think he/she also suffered bad grades. Thus, I think he/she should not mention it unless specifically asked why there is a 1 year gap in his/her schedule. I could be wrong though...

 

[abbaroodle]

What about a compromise - dont talk about it in your AMCAS application, and then divide your list of schools in half - 1/2 disclose, the other 1/2 dont mention it? (Or you could do 1/3 - disclose everything, 1/3 disclose "personal medical reasons for time off," 1/3 - no mention of it.)

Just make sure you divide your list fairly evenly - ie, if you have two reaches, one gets everything, and one gets nothing. Also, focus on what you learned, your experiences interacting with medical community\being a patient, what it was like to come back and face friends who looked at you differently and what you taught them and unstereotyping mental illeness, etc.

Many students take time off in the middle of college. Many of them explain that they just weren't happy and didn't feel like they appreciated their education and having some time in the "real world" helped them gain perspective and figure out why they really wanted to go to college.

About discrimination: true, the schools can't discriminate. Can you prove that they did? After all, how many qualified candidates get turned down with equally good grades\lab work\recommendations\other. True, if you are equally qualified and get no interviews, yes it sounds like it was discrimination. However could you prove in court that school X decided not to take you because of your medical history?

Best of luck!

 

[vacutie]

Where do you see anything stating that medical schools can not discriminate based on "health problems"? If the health problem rises to the level of a disability and if the student still has the capacity to perform the technical tasks required in medical school, then the applicant might be able to bring action against the school based on the Americans with Disabilities Act. But by definition being disabled means being unable to perform one or more routine functions required in daily life (that isn't the exact wording of the legistlation but that's the gist of it). So, if the applicant claims to be cured of the prior mental health condition, then they aren't disabled. If they are disabled, then it could be argued by the medical school that 1) the applicant's disabilty woudl preclude being able to perform adequately in medical school or 2) the applicant was not academically qualified for admission and the prior illness is red herring. All in all, a big mess. Much safer to say, "lost a year of school due to illness" and wait and see if anyone is going to ask. My bet: they wont' go there becasue it is too personal a question.

When I was an undergraduate, I was certified as "disabled" through my campus' ADA office. Bipolar and other mental health disorders ARE currently considered "disabilities" for ADA purposes. I don't mean to contradict you, but I just want to clear up the misunderstanding for anyone else who is reading.

I would think that med schools would be reluctant to deny an applicant on the basis of his or her disability status (because of ADA liability), but then again, the adcom can always argue that they denied admission on the basis of other factors.

 

[vacutie]

So, just to update everyone...I am pretty certain that I will not be disclosing my mental health issues in my applications. If asked about the year off, I will probably explain that I was dealing with "family medical issues" - which is true, considering the fact that I spent my whole second semester off rebuilding the life of my also bipolar (and much less functional) mother. Thanks so much for all your advice and support.

 

[LocutusofBorg]

Good luck to you!!! Kick some admission butts🙂

 

[premed]

So, just to update everyone...I am pretty certain that I will not be disclosing my mental health issues in my applications. If asked about the year off, I will probably explain that I was dealing with "family medical issues" - which is true, considering the fact that I spent my whole second semester off rebuilding the life of my also bipolar (and much less functional) mother. Thanks so much for all your advice and support.

Good decision! 👍 I hope your application goes well!

 

[ElizabethMD]

What should I do? I had to leave college twice. My grades aren't bad, but they're not what I'm capable of (I got an A-, B, B-, B+ during a really hard semester). I have to explain less then stellar grades and gaps. And some of the activities that I do at school have to do w/ helping students who have mental illnesses. I've done a really great job w/ these projects and am going to have something published and implemented as a "therapeutic intervention" this Fall. Should I hide a project I've worked on for an entire year (and will likely be working on for a while) with key administrators at my college from medical school admissions? What would you do? Could I say that I wrote something for students with mental illnesses without idenitfying myself as one of those students?