"Being diagnosed bipolar"

I was diagnosed bipolar around 3 weeks ago, this has been after being passed from pillar to post between doctors and given many varying medications over the past 3 years. None of which have been helpful.

I have found that I have been mistreated by some GPs. I suffer with an eating disorder and expressed concern about weight gain with meds only to be told I "didn't look like I had an eating disorder" which caused relapse, panic attacks and embarrassment, as well as invalidating my conditions.

I have finally met with a psychiatrist (after a 2 month waiting period) in order to be diagnosed bipolar and to get medication. However now two weeks into medication, I have had no contact with anyone and I had a blood test only to be told I would be contacted if anything needed to change, but I have no information about whether I need follow ups etc and when I do ring the secretary I am treated as if I am a nuisance.

It took me over 10 days to get my prescription when I was guaranteed it would be sorted in 2-4 at the very most, and was then shouted at by the NHS services when I chased it up.

I think GPs and general NHS staff need to be better informed regarding mental health, and also realise the impact of receiving new medication and treatment has on those who are suffering. As why 10 days doesn't seem that much, for me the new medication was a lifeline I desperately needed.

I feel mental health patients are made to feel as if they are unimportant until the point of a suicide attempt, in which case there is lots of 'we missed the signs' and blaming going on.