[kayodelycaon]

Not OP, but I have. If you go to a family doctor in the US, they really aren’t qualified or trained in treating mental health.

My psychiatrist was fairly clear on what was what and which things needed to be treated with therapy and which medication could help with. (Medication helps symptoms, it does not cure.) Finding the right medication would take months or years and will not solve everything. There will be side effects that I needed to monitor and report. And so on.

When seeing any doctor, you are your own best advocate. It helps to come prepared, knowing your family history, and things you are struggling with.

Researching medications can help, but most people are not qualified to use them without supervision, myself included.

Note: This is assuming you need medication. It was fairly clear in my case medication was absolutely required to at least treat psychosis.

I prefer to refer friends to a therapist or psychologist, who do not prescribe medication.