punk I don't mean to say you need meds or that anyone else here does but i'm one of those people who does not think it is shameful to take medication. what i mean is that if pain can be alleviated - including emotional and mental pain- then it is a question of finding the right medication or combination of meds that can help with emotional distress and pain.
I've worked in a psych hospital (private) and have seen how psychiatrists keep trying to get the right medication for an individual. sometimes an individual can try out 10 different ssri's or snri's and other meds in combination or not. when you talk to the person after they have obtained the right combo or when you see them years later they have a career and are reasonably happy in their lives.
on the nhs you have to take the initiative I'm sad to say but it can still be done with perseverence and a certain amount of luck. some meds do have awful side effects but there are some that don't - each person is different