Author Description

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 is a disgrace to try to cover it up and not get help for it.Written in a down-to-earth style easily accessible to those unfamiliar with the disorder, Journey Not Chosen...Destination Not Known is a vital piece of literature for those dealing with bipolar, either in themselves or a loved one.