oh dear I also am in the uk and also have only been offered medication, for too long, for my severe Depression and Anxiety. For several years, I’ve been allergic to every medication that has been prescribed . Most straight away, a couple not straight away. But the allergic reaction is severe . I’m scared of all meds now :-( And of doctors too for that matter. . So maybe the “petulant little child” is me

I’m sending gentle hugs, I sincerely hope things do get better for you, I also have felt that they don’t credit me with the intelligence I have, talk down to me (Not always and not all of them). But oh well, I suppose I’m not “deserving”

I’m sorry so much of this was “me, me, me” :-(

I too wonder what the “next step” is

I’ve done my own research, and therapy, with a competent therapist does help. Of course, this can be and often is, very difficult to access in the uk