Journey Not Chosen...Destination Not Known: Living With Bipolar Disorder

by Worthen, Mary

• ISBN13: 9780874836479
• ISBN10: 0874836476
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-05-01
• Publisher: Natl Book Network

Summary

When Mary Worthen woke up the morning of December 13, 1999, she had no idea that the daughter she knew and loved as Kristy Worthen would not surface again for forty-five days. Neither Mary nor Kristy knew that Kristy was bipolar -- or that her illness was about to send her on a frightening downward spiral of delusions that would have Mary fearing for both their lives. In the harrowing days before Kristy's diagnosis, "she would alternate between being Persephone and Jesus, an angel, a demon, and a vampire, " Mary writes. "She said, 'Persephone can't take any more pain, death is better than life. Mother will have to sleep first, she can't see the mess'...I was scared to death."

Journey Not Chosen...Destination Not Known was written with bipolar sufferers -- and their loved ones -- in mind. Along with her recounting of Kristy's personal nightmare, Mary provides chapters on bipolar itself, treating the disorder, coping with its effects on family and friends, and resources for more information. "It is not a disgrace to have a mental illness, " she writes, "but it

Table of Contents

Foreword	9	(11)
Journey Not Chosen...	11	(24)
Kristy's Story: The Black Hole of My Racing Thoughts	35	(8)
Bipolar: What Is It?	43	(8)
What Can Be Done About It?	51	(6)
How Bipolar Affects Your Life and Your Loved Ones	57	(4)
Moving Beyond the Illness	61	(4)
What I Learned at NAMI	65	(16)
Educational Materials
Mental Illness Fact Sheet	71	(3)
Resources for Help and Information	74	(1)
Mental Health Professions	75	(4)
Other Titles and Certifications	79	(2)
Glossary	81	(24)
Resources	105	(4)
Free Medication Programs	109