Psychiatry is at the bottom of a deep pit.  My hope is Millenials live long enough for this profession to pull itself back, at least half way up.<p>We were lied to about the effectiveness of SSRI drugs by the drug companies.  Psychiatrists were as much victims as their patients.  I don&#x27;t blame Psychiatrists.  I have the look on my Psychiatrist face imprinted, when I sat in that chair, and told him &quot;That drug did nothing.&quot;  It got to the point where I felt like lying.  &quot;It kinda worked?&quot;  But I didn&#x27;t.  It was my life--I wanted to get better.<p>I finally found a drug that worked, a little bit.  I think that&#x27;s the rub.  You need to see a Psychiatrist to find a drug that works a little bit.  Keep in mind that drug might be habit forming, so only go if you are certain your condition is Not Situational.<p>If your psychiatrist just offers SSRI&#x27;s, ot tricyclics; find another Psychiatrist.  If you do find a drug that seems to work, be prepared for mandatory office visits.  They need to make a living.  (These drugs should be regulated differently, but that&#x27;s another fight. By regulated, I mean, if you are on a long term drug; you shouldn&#x27;t have to see a psychiatrist to get refills.)<p>If I was to do it over again, I&#x27;m not sure I would take anything, but my anxiety was not situational.  It came from &quot;I have no clue.  Just life?&quot;.  I have found controlled use of alcohol helps.  Try to keep the alcohol to a minimum.  Two drinks for a panic attact.  Don&#x27;t drink socially.  You are drinking to control that busted gasket.  It needs time to heal.  An understanding family really helps.<p>I have said this before, and I have no reason to lie.  You will get better with time.<p>I have gotten to read my Psychiatrists face&#x2F;non-verbal tells.  I believe it when he says &quot;Anti-depressants do work for some of my patients.&quot;  I&#x27;ve looked into the litature, and they might help some really depressed patients?  Might?  If you are seriously suicidial go to the hospital.  Don&#x27;t rule out ECT.  (Use it as a last resort, but don&#x27;t kill yourself.  Emergency room personal are prepared to deal with psychiatric emergencies.)<p>And again, if you are reading this and just not feeling right, a little dizzy, just not right; you will get better with time.<p>As to the original question; No--mainstream Americans does not need to see a Psychiatrist.  Most good Psychiatrists only want to see the patients who don&#x27;t respond to a Psychologist&#x27;s therapy.<p>As to therapy--give it a shot, I guess?  I found it completely useless.  I think they did more damage to a once innocent twenty something mind?  They might have changed?  My psychologist was a Freudian.  I remember making an a appointment with another Psychologist.  &quot;What&#x27;s your reason for seeing Dr.whatever?&quot;  Me, &quot;I was told I have a Electra Complex.&quot;  Office, &quot;A what?&quot;  It&#x27;s funny now.<p>Good luck!  If you know someone fighting these problems, don&#x27;t give offer them worn our clichés.  Whatever you do, don&#x27;t take advantage of a wounded individual.  I was financially abused at my worst.  Will never forget that retched person.