A psychiatrist can diagnose and write scrips for meds. However, your regular doctor can do that, too. The psychiatrist has more training with mental illness, however.
Psychiatrists also can provide therapy. They are usually more expensive than other therapists. Whether you see a psychologist, a social worker, or any of a number of other titles, you can be helped. The help depends on the fit between you and the therapist, and you may have to visit several to find one you feel comfortable working with.
If you think you have anxiety, a therapist can help you decide to go get diagnosed, but they can’t diagnose you. If you start with a psychiatrist, you can get any organic conditions diagnosed more quickly. You can decide what kind of therapist you want to see after that.
If you are among the “worried well,” you can go to a therapist right away, and discuss the problems you want to work on. Most therapists, these days, are focused on faster problem solving, instead of keeping you for years. This generally has to do with insurance. Some people see a therapist intensively for a while, and then go back periodically, as needed, for a “tune-up.”
Therapists will help you work through the issues you want to work on, but they will often need to get to know you and find out much more about your history and background before you will start to experience any benefit. This could take months.
Therapy is nothing to be ashamed of. A lot of people think it is a kind of failure to solve your problems on your own, but that’s pretty much bullshit. You can hammer a nail with a rock, a hammer, or a nail gun. You choice about the tool. You can choose to be trained in the use of the tool, or not.
The rock is pretty inaccurate and less effective. The nail gun is more efficient, but requires more training.
You can solve your problems on your own, but it will take longer and you’ll make more mistakes. Therapy is a tool, and you have to learn how to use it well. It’s worth learning, especially if you think you need it.