Antidepressants and depression: What are your experiences?

Is it even possible to get hold of stuff like Valium or Xanax without a prescription here in the States? Or can you just talk to a regular GP—you know, explain what's going on—and have them write you a script?
And honestly, what’s the move if you feel like you might be dealing with bipolar disorder or maybe just some milder depression? Should you head straight to a doctor to get help, and then let them point you toward the right specialist or whatever comes next? 🤔

First off, just to be clear, Valium and Xanax aren't antidepressants.

You can't just walk in and grab Xanax or Valium without a prescription. Times have changed, though—even your regular family doctor can write you a script now, whereas before it was strictly a psychiatrist thing. You can pick up Valium over the counter at some places, but honestly, it’s pretty mild.
You can't tackle bipolar disorder on your own; you really need professional help. It's crucial to tell the difference between standard depression and bipolar disorder because they aren't the same thing. Your best bet is to go talk to a doctor. They'll figure it out from there—either refer you to a specialist if it's bipolar or a severe case of depression, or if they think it's nothing too crazy, they might just prescribe something themselves. Good luck!