Customer Reviews

Journey Not Chosen... Destination Not Know: Living with Bipolar

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The book was great after my wife's first hospitalization. It helped me understand the patients and the family's side and really get in their head. And it gave great reference materials. Good starting place for people new to the disease or needing to hear some personal stories!

I purchased this book because there is a family history of this illness. I was not prepared as to how powerful it would be. The mother's story is heartbreaking and a great account for those who are also beginning the journey of helping a loved one. Thank goodness Kristy's mom was so persistant in getting help and that Kristy herself is following the program and doing well. Unfortunately this is not the case for a lot of people. This is a must read for anyone who is dealing with someone with this illness.

I found this to be a fairly enjoyable, quick read about battling bipolar disorder. The quality of writing is pretty good and the story inspires empathy in the reader. Like another reviewer said, it did have a little too much God in it for my taste. Nonetheless, it makes a significant contribution to the genre of mental illness memoirs and is worth reading if you suffer from bipolar disorder or know someone who does. Avery Z. Conner, author of "Fevers of the Mind".

There are two first-person accounts in this book: that of a mother whose young-adult daughter begins to manifest baffling, frightening behavior and that of the young woman, herself. These were written relatively soon after the young woman began treatment, and the searing descriptions will resonate with many who have been confused and afraid in the early stages of grappling with bipolar disorder.

Beyond the personal story, the primary author (the mother) extends this short, very readable book to describe bipolar's symptoms and its management. There is a fairly extensive glossary, a list of resources, and an appendix about obtaining the very expensive medications, when required, for people with limited incomes and no health insurance.

The book is written quite simply, by contrast to many more technical books on the subject. People who are just beginning to grapple with the impact of bipolar disorder will find the text blessedly free of jargon and easy to understand. You might well go on to other sources, but this is a fine place to start to get one's bearings and some hope.

As a bipolar person I found that 21-year-old Kristy's account of her illness to be startlingly accurate and her mother's account very poignant. My only issue is with the emphasis they both place on god. They are quite obviously a very religious family (regular catholic church goers; Kristy attended a catholic high school, dad worked there). As a non-religious and non-spiritual person I found it somewhat annoying, as I could not relate on that level at all and have no desire to. Granted, most of Kristy's delusions were religion-based (she frequently thought she was jesus christ and fervently worked at copying the bible word for word), still, I found myself rolling my eyes occasionally. Don't get me wrong, if nothing else this VERY quick read would make sufferers and care givers feel that someone out there is battling the same demons, but beware of god.

This is one story- powerfully written by mother and daughter. But every case is unique to the person/family experiencing it. I agree with another reviewer-- I did not connect with the emphasis on God.. but I don't criticize it-- because it is their honest personal experience. They cannot change that. Not everyone is anchored so deeply into God that it is where they must necessarily go. It was, however, just a speculation. And a plausible one-- for MANY but not all. I enjoyed the inclusion of an appendix. It was very helpful. There was a brief mention of TYPE I and TYPE II in the book but it was lacking detail and I wished it would have been a bit more fleshed out. Not everyone is relegated to having the TYPE I (more severe form) and knowing there are differences may help educate people and additionally may reduce the stigma. Overall a good honest account. It would be nice if there were a collection of accounts so people could see the wide spectrum of experiences.