Lewis,
I'm on Zoloft, 100mg, and I'm in therapy. My therapist (PhD) gives me talk therapy, and I go and see a nurse practitioner in a mental health clinic. She talked to me to find out the extent of my fear/OCD, and we tweaked my meds for about 6 months til we found something that made me feel ok while I go through talk therapy. Most people like us go on meds without the intent to stay on them forever. The meds lower the threshold of the anxiety so that you can work through it and learn how to keep your anxiety low on your own. I think it will be beneficial for you to try what your doctor suggests. Don't worry, the psychiatrist's office is like a therapist's office. If they want blood work done, they'll send you to the regular lab to have it done. I just don't think it's feasible for them to have their own lab people to test blood every once in a while. Just because he's an MD doesn't mean he's like a general practitioner. He is just a therapist that can prescribe medication. I hope you find what you need and that you can get some help. I've been in that desperate place before where you need an intervention. Most likely you have OCD, especially if you're obsessing about germs and what you've touched, what you're breathing in, etc. I've been there. Zoloft is a dream for me. I hope whatever you try works for you as well. Please keep in touch.
In memory of the sweetest german shepherd I ever had the pleasure of knowing. I love you, Duncan. 3/12/02 - 12/19/11