Hello Freddie, welcome to PC.
Congrats on going to see a doc. That's a huge step.
I believe therapy is the most helpful for long term results, but sometimes our anxiety thoughts make it hard to even focus.
Meds are great to calm the anxiety/obsesive thinking. And they can make therapy possible, and easier.
Low doses have practically no side effects. But I understand some people wanting to do it without them.

Keep us posted