I just started psychotherapy last week and strongly believe that will help me deal with my trauma and change my behaviour but.. I want to know what is typically used by doctors as a gauge of when you should consider getting on an SSRI? 

I’ll be speaking to my doctor this week finally about my anxiety but I’ve been suffering for awhile. I just don’t know if he’s going to try and push an SSRI on me or what is even used to diagnose and gauge whether someone should go on one. 

For context: I’ve been battling with severe anxiety for months now. I’ve had 6 real panic attacks (2 hospital visits) spread out over the past 12 months and in the past month or so I’d say my baseline anxiety all day is an 8. Tight chest constantly, driving anywhere outside of town is almost intolerable, grocery store visits are difficult.