In the 20+ years I've been dealing with depression psychiatrists have been the most unhelpful people in my treatment. The first one I saw usually dealt with children and not 16-17 year olds and treated me like a child. I'm a fairly intelligent person and did not appreciate being talked down to and patronized. One of the doctors I had the most respect for was the one who told me outright that he couldn't get his head around me and that he couldn't help me. I'm a big fan of "if you don't know, don't guess" when it comes to someone's life. The next pdoc I dealt with was when I was "formed" a couple of years ago, I get that 3 pdocs for an area bigger than some small countries means they don't have a lot of time, but I didn't feel like she listened at all.

My therapist for many many years had her Masters of psych and was amazing, she would call me on my BS and treat me like I wasn't broken.

Even after I moved 4 hours away she would still have phone sessions with me. Then it became clear that I needed in-person help to keep me on an even keel. My sister hooked me up with a doc who runs a counselling practice. She can prescribe the drugs but isn't a psychiatrist. She's just a family doc who cares and gives me insight when I'm missing it.

I've been fortunate to have two amazing primary care physicians who are very supportive. But I've also seen my share of lousy counsellors with varying degrees of degrees.

Try and stick with it finding a therapist you can begin to trust. Even if you start the first few sessions talking about their philosophy and treatment styles. Then move on to how you're feeling now. .. leave the doors closed on the other stuff until you feel safe talking about it.

Good luck