@eskielover - thanks for sharing your experience. It sounds like you overcame a lot and finally did get the right support.

In the healthcare system that I'm in, the psych dept has always been overwhelmed with demand. I do believe that the primary care providers, like my new doctor, are under pressure to be rather slow to refer patients to the psych dept.

I'm not a trauma survivor. I don't think I need more medication. Mainly I would like a psychiatrist to recognize how distressed I am.

Maybe I need to ask for help in a more assertive way.