I’m 19, My First Psychiatrist Prescribed Me Heavy SSRIs After a 15-Minute "Stress Test" – Am I Right to Walk Away?
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve dealt with social anxiety. Now that I’m 19, studying cybersecurity, and still living with my parents, I decided to finally take control and see a psychiatrist. It was a massive step for me, especially with the heavy cultural stigma and shame around mental health in my household where people usually assume only "crazy" people need help.
I watched a video of a doctor online who explained that medication should always be a last resort, so I went to see him in person. My mom came with me, but I went into the office alone, which made me extremely nervous.
The session felt rushed and bizarre from the start:
* He barely asked basic questions (just my age and where I study).
* He gave me a high-pressure "test": He asked if I’d go to a restaurant alone, and I said no because of the stress of feeling watched. He then suddenly ordered me to stand up right there and give an impromptu presentation on my major. I was visibly shaken, so he told me to take a deep breath and speak.
* He performed zero physical or blood checks.
* He instantly wrote a prescription for Paroxil (Paroxetine) without explaining the dosage, side effects, or long-term plan, though he mentioned he'd try CBT with me too.
* He gave me an "exposure" task on the way out: He told me to immediately go to a nearby restaurant alone, order food, and eat it.
He asked me to come back next week for a free consultation, but the whole experience felt sketchy and transactional. I don't believe my anxiety is as severe as he made it out to be—I was just over-stressed because it was my first time, I was alone, and he put me on the spot.
I’m now extremely hesitant to take the medication. To test myself, I went to the gym today, forced myself to override my anxiety, greeted 7 strangers, and talked to 2 people. I felt relieved afterward. I genuinely believe I can push through this on my own using my own willpower and exposure, without relying on pills or paying money to a doctor who didn't seem to care.