To be clear, drugs may not be necessary, and even if drugs are an option, they aren't the only option. There are a lot of ways one can address their mental health issues--with the assistance of a trained, professional psychiatric counselor--that do not involve drugs.
Years ago, I had some anxiety issues that I needed help to get through. But it took my sister convincing me that drugs weren't even the most likely result before I went to see a counselor. My issues weren't serious (night-time, work-stress-related panic attacks), but they were becoming disruptive to my life and I feared getting drugged to numbness like half of my coworkers.
My counselor did not even bring drugs up, actually told me to quit my job. I did, and though the next job had even more demanding bosses, I had the perspective necessary this time to not allow me to stress about it quite so much.
There is nothing that can hurt you about going to see a counselor or therapist once. Most health insurance companies have very discrete phone lines you can call to find a mental health professional. The therapist will talk with you and discuss what you want to do. That's really all they are there for. Most of them are capable of meeting at pretty much any time of day. If you don't have health insurance, there are a lot of therapists that do pro bono work over video conference. You won't get drugs forced on you if you don't want them. You won't get anything forced on you if you don't want it.
I'm not sure most doctors are properly equipped to deal with this kind of thing, beyond referring you on to a specialist which is only going to make you worry even more.
My Dad taught me about not panicking when I was a child as he thought it was important. The way he did it was to get me to try and swim a length underwater at the local swimming pool. When I couldn't do it he said, "ok, your mind tries to tell you you've run out of air earlier than you actually have so that you'll respond and still have time to do something about it, but you know you've only got a few more metres to go before you're at the end. You actually have plenty of air when you're coming up." It took me quite a few more attempts but I eventually managed to get over that panicking feeling to finish the length. Then I'd practise every week.
This directly saved me when I got trapped once in a badly maintained wave machine once, and instead of panicking I managed to orient myself, find the grate I'd been sucked in by, get out and push my to the surface. BUT, there's an indirect consequence of this that is much more useful in every day life - it's the idea that whatever situation you're in, you are capable of sorting it out yourself.
Anybody reading and understanding what's on HN is also probably capable of dealing with most problems no matter what's thrown at them. Worried about that degree course? It doesn't really matter because you'll be able to work something out. Worried about that job interview tomorrow? Well just go in and say what you think, give it your best shot, and if it doesn't work out that's ok because you're smart enough to work it out from there. Have confidence in your ability to deal with situations as they arise. It's not easy and it takes practise, but it's a great thing to have and it'll let you sleep easy.
Please don't see a doctor who will prescribe drugs. Cut out the middle man and see a Councillor that actually wants to solve your [perceived] problem in a cognitive way.
The problem is a state of mind and can be solved without drugs.
“Worry is like a rocking chair: it gives you something to do but never gets you anywhere”
A lot of mental health problems can be managed without pharmaceuticals, but since all we know about this person is that they worry a lot, it's extremely presumptuous to diagnose based on that. If the underlying problem is severe depression or bipolar disorder or crippling OCD, then a drug intervention is most likely prudent, at least temporarily. But that's a decision for a licensed professional to make.
Reading back my reply may come across as flippant [hence the down votes] - that wasn't my intention. having been through depression myself; I was given the option of drugs to 'help me sleep' and 'help me relax' - this was far from what I needed.
As you say - we have no idea if there is an underlying 'problem' and as such HN is not really the place to seek this type of advice.
> HN is not really the place to seek this type of advice.
Well, a cry for help isn't really a request for advice, it's just an alarm. There's good and bad advice in the thread, so hopefully some of the good made it to this person.
Years ago, I had some anxiety issues that I needed help to get through. But it took my sister convincing me that drugs weren't even the most likely result before I went to see a counselor. My issues weren't serious (night-time, work-stress-related panic attacks), but they were becoming disruptive to my life and I feared getting drugged to numbness like half of my coworkers.
My counselor did not even bring drugs up, actually told me to quit my job. I did, and though the next job had even more demanding bosses, I had the perspective necessary this time to not allow me to stress about it quite so much.
There is nothing that can hurt you about going to see a counselor or therapist once. Most health insurance companies have very discrete phone lines you can call to find a mental health professional. The therapist will talk with you and discuss what you want to do. That's really all they are there for. Most of them are capable of meeting at pretty much any time of day. If you don't have health insurance, there are a lot of therapists that do pro bono work over video conference. You won't get drugs forced on you if you don't want them. You won't get anything forced on you if you don't want it.