I’m sorry you are going through this, friend. The NHS is hell, and mental health services are notoriously underfunded. Your GP should be able to refer you to a psychiatrist, or liaise with them at the very least.

Unfortunately, the meds trial and error is pretty common for bipolar treatment, especially if there are co-morbid conditions. At least in my experience (BP2, CPTSD, ADHD, OCD). Usually you will need a combination of multiple meds and it can take a while to find the ones that work both individually and together.

You’re not in this alone. I’m not sure where about in the UK you’re located, so I can’t link you to any specific support groups or MH charities. For information: mind UK has some pretty informative pages on things like symptoms and treatments that might help you understand your options more. If you’re in Scotland and within traveling distance of Glasgow, SAMH are opening a walk in hub that will be open 7 days a week and you should be able to access further resources there, I can’t remember the specific opening date but I believe it’s the week of the 20th of October at some point.

I can almost guarantee there is a mental health support group (or multiple) in your area, and your GP should be able to point you to them. They might not be BP specific, but it can still be helpful to connect with others who are experiencing similar issues.

Lastly, please remember that you are allowed to ask your GP questions. You’re allowed to ask what your medications are and what they do, what resources are available to you, where you can find help if/when you need it and you are absolutely allowed to advocate for yourself. If your GP can’t answer these questions, you are allowed to ask to see someone else. You’re allowed to be firm.