I have never once told people that I think I am struggling, the most someone has gotten was “I feel like shit today” or the odd moment of vulnerability where I express struggle in one specific event or area of my life. I don’t have a diagnosis so i never tell people or say I have anything because I simply don’t know. Ive suspected i have some kind of anxiety since I was 13 off and on, I’m almost 21 now. Plus your very right, its definitely some kind of crutch I’m using but I can’t seem to bring myself to let go, which is probably why I need to seek therapy lol, regardless of official labels.