On top of that, I'd keep trying until you find someone you click with. A lot of people get discouraged when the first doctor or counselor they speak with isn't a good fit.

Definitely. It took me a few. In particular, I needed to find somebody with a good personality match who was also smart enough to keep up with me and experienced enough to spot my bullshit and call me on it in a productive way.

And a note to deathbysw123: I too really recommend finding a therapist. I used to think that if I was smart enough I could figure this stuff out on my own, and that pride kept me from getting help. But a therapist has two advantages: they have seen a zillion people, and so have raw data for pattern-finding that you don't, and they are outside your skull, giving them a perspective you can't have.

This is true. There are a lot of terrible therapists and psychiatrists around, and it's hard to know how to choose. Also they are different. Therapists talk, psychiatrists give pills, and they should both rather have both tools for using either or or both as necessary. And Therapists have lots of different wys of operating too. Ask around of recommendations, and don't give up. Get a best friend to help you ehre, in case you feel it's too much. Good luck, there's loads of great advice here.

There can also be a discomfort around psychiatrists and prescriptions. It's also worth mentioning that there are many other mental health professionals and services which do not prescribe pharmaceuticals and provide many other mental health services.