I can understand why you would be concerned/anxious about choosing a doc. You might want to see a therapist first. Sometimes depression is coming from just life events and sometimes from a chemical imbalance in the brain only--or a combination. You'll get asked a bunch of questions on the first visit.

I'm thinking this approach might be best because you might feel more comfortable spending time talking to a counselor first instead of just heading in to see a psychiatrist, given your past experiences. Plus the therapist knows the psychiatrists and you can talk to him/her about that background stuff. Does this approach sound manageable?

I know myself how terrible it is to feel depressed, because I am bipolar (manic-depressive.) I agree that you do need to get some help for this problem.

Please keep us informed or post again about feelings or whatever. We are here!