How to tell a psychiatrist what’s wrong with me without getting locked up, and do they really help?

I know exactly how it feels to not have someone to talk to and to fear that 'label' - it's horrible and the fear itself can cripple you. However, when you've come to stage to know that talking to someone, be it professional or just someone who can support you, the next step is to throw away this fear. I don't know how things work where you come from, but here, those people wants to help you. If you find the right place or have been recommend to a place with good reputation, then you have nothing to fear at all. - Opening up is hard, especially to strangers as you're more vulnerable and you might feel that they will judge you. No one is going to do that though and they're not going to lock you up or anything like that. - I advice you to tell your psychiatrist about these fears, let him/her know that you're yet not ready to disclose everything and that you need to take it easy, step by step. I too felt like I was just going to be 'labeled' as crazy and I truly feared that everything I said was just going to be regarded as something I would say exactly because I was crazy. - But I realized it wasn't like that at all. - Everyone needs someone to talk to, everyone deals and struggles with something and it's okay. - We live in a world where nothing no longer remains unknown, everything is mapped, we're stuffed into big concrete jungles and it's stressful. - No one leaves this Earth unscathed and it's okay to seek help, because we all need it every now and then. A friendly hand, a hug or a smile. - Take it easy and know that you're not alone.

From my very limited experience psychiatrists seem to be mostly interested in drug therapy and whatever is required to see that the meds are properly administered. If you want to avoid being 'locked up' you could start out by talking to a private psychologist or psycho-therapist and perhaps look into CBT as a way of tackling whatever issues you are suffering with. Be careful to avoid giving therapists the impression you have any intention of harming yourself or other people, find a way of putting it that does not oblige them to refer your case to a hospital.
If you do opt for drugs then you may find admitting yourself for a short stay will give you the change of environment you need while your body adjusts to the dose. Some medications do not act on your brain at all and just help you keep your stress levels down. Do read up about meds you are offered and consider whether you think it's right for you; they can work very well, but every person is different and it's not an exact science. Once you're on a course of meds then it's really important to keep them going at a regular dose and come off them gradually, and if you have any unwanted responses to them then you must communicate with your doctor to adjust the dose or change scripts.
Talking to a therapist is probably the first and easiest option though, and if your school has a counsellor then you could start there if you trust them, or call a mental health helpline, if one is available where you are, to get some advice.
I notice you're still quite young, so it's great that you're seeking to nip these problems in the bud. Just chatting to someone about your worries and where they come from might be all the help you need. There's nothing mystical about counselling therapy and you don't have to be messed up to benefit from it. I hope you get through this gently; I'm sure you'll be glad you sorted it out so you can enjoy the rest of your life.

I would like to thank you both very much for answering as objective as possible, and for giving me the encouragement to go and see someone. I am still worried about telling them how I feel. I'm also considering telling a friend, since she knows a lot about me and I do about her. But I just think she will judge me somehow. I have had this problem for a very long time now. Maybe medication is what I need. I sure hope this works out well.

I would suggest just going to regular talk therapy for a while; getting an outsider's perspective and advice sometimes can be enough help in itself. If you get a good therapist, it's just like talking to a friend after you get used to them.No one will "lock you up" or try to medicate you unless they see you as a harm to yourself or others. I have been to a mental ward multiple times, and my experiences were all positive. The people that worked there treated me like a human being. I don't think you have to worry about that unless your problem is *really* disruptive to you or the people around you.With medication, it was my choice, and I was in control of my treatment. I'm on two meds right now, and at first I was worried that they would change me. I would say I feel more mellow, and maybe a bit less anxious? I get along with people so much better and I can function! Would I recommend that we give everyone pills? Not at all. But for me, pills and therapy have helped a lot.