Perfect Chaos: A Daughter's Journey to Survive Bipolar, a Mother's Struggle to Save Her Paperback – May 28, 2013

I am the parent of three daughters, two of whom have mood disorders. Our family has lived with mental illness for 12 years. I am also a social worker and advocate working in the field of mental illness. In this capacity I have had the opportunity to read many personal stories ranging from self-published, yet to be published, never to be published as well as critically acclaimed best sellers. My personal belief is that many of these `our story' books serve an important purpose for the author, but not for the public. The process of writing provides a journey of introspection, catharsis and healing. But for a story to make the leap to touching, teaching and impacting a broader audience, a book needs several key qualities. And I believe that 'Perfect Chaos' has these qualities.First, the story must be well written - compelling, capturing and SUSTAINING the readers' attention. Second, because every story is as unique as each of us, there need to be underlying threads which allow the reader to identify with aspects of the story, the circumstances, the characters, the feelings. The goal is not to try to be all things to all people, but rather to help the reader to find the similarities through our innermost hopes, fears and emotions. Third, we need a take away from the book. A sense of hope or empowerment, or a new found clarity and insight into a topic that may have been foreign to us.So, how did `Perfect Chaos' measure up to these qualities for me? As you can tell by my rating, very well. But let me explain why. `Perfect Chaos' is not a perfect book, but that is as much strength as a weakness. It's a real story, with real people in an all too real situation.The first few chapters move a bit slowly, as the stage is set with the background that paints a picture of a family that seems to have it all. But that background creates a stark contrast to what lies ahead, reminding us that mental illness does not discriminate. It can happen to anyone. We can't `vaccinate' our loved ones against it with love, education, intact households, middle class suburbia, or a good health insurance plan. And this is where the `well written' takes over. Linea's journal gives us a window into her emotional roller coaster as all the intangibles that she and her parents wanted so badly slip away. We hang onto the edge of our seats, hoping against hope that things really are getting better as we are taunted and teased with glimpses of stability intermingled with devastating crashes. Cinda's doubts, fears and struggle for when to step in and when to let go echo that inner turmoil that so many mothers (and fathers) feel as their children launch into adulthood. Sure, hindsight is 20/20 and we can think of a dozen ways we'd handle these situations differently. But we also see how in the heat of the moment, this family is doing the best they can with what they have, navigating a terrain that is both foreign and frightening at every turn.While `Perfect Chaos' is uniquely one family's story, it touches the readers' heart and emotions because the authors capture the essence of what it's like when mental illness descends. Substitute the bipolar diagnosis with any other chronic illness - cancer, diabetes, autism, autoimmune disease . . . the pain, the anguish, the frustration, the anger at the system, the risk/benefits of each treatment option, the inequities, the inability to `fix' everything, the risks, the letting go while wanting desperately to scoop up our child and keep them safe . . . it's all the same. As is celebrating the simple joys and the small and big successes yet having that nagging feeling in the back of your mind that this could all change in a heartbeat.Lastly, whether you are reading `Perfect Chaos' because you know mental illness intimately, or because it is foreign and you want a better understanding, you will come away feeling enriched and empowered. There is hope because Linea's illness didn't destroy her or her family. It forever changed them, but they chose to take adversity and turn it into the opportunity to help others. There is knowledge because we are given an intimate look at one family's story. We get to say `oh, I'm not sure that I'd have handled things THAT way' and `Wow, I can't believe they got through that horrible nightmare' and `I wonder what I would do if I'd been Charlie or Cinda or that nurse in the psych unit'.The point is that as we go along and life continues to happen, we will bring a new perspective that will affect the way we assess, react, intervene, or sit on our hands and try desperately not to micromanage. When we are in a conversation about mental illness and someone makes a comment out of ignorance or misinformation, we will have the opportunity to lend a voice for those who can't. Or when we see a situation that in the past made us uncomfortable or judgmental, perhaps we will instead reflect a face of empathy and compassion when it is needed the most.

If you or anybody you know and care about is struggling with bi-polar, or any other mental illness, this heartfelt book is a great place to start. I love that it shares both the daughter and parent's perspective, as so many books are written in one voice.Throughout the book, caring, and not so caring characters emerge. This is reality folks, as I navigated the system five years ago. At that time I only knew it from my perspective. This well written book helps one see the other side, the side of the parents.Hearing the diagnoses,"bi-polar" is your golden ticket into the world of Mental Illness. Nothing is the same ever again.Just like Linea I had to leave my dreams of continuing in my chosen field (special education teacher), and choose a new beginning. Today I am a working chef (Food Services Director for the fancy name), and loving it. We don't get to choose which curve balls life throws at us, but the Johnson's deal beautifully and humanly with the pitches as they are thrown. Kudos to the good friends in the daughter's life, and all those who helped her keep her promise of being"safe". Until we understand bi-polar and other illnesses as well as we understand when somebody gets diabetes, or heart disease, stigma will continue. Thank you Johnsons for shining light on bi-polar. I loved this book, its format of mother/daughter writings, and its message.

Interesting and captivating story. i choose this when i heard both authors in a radio interview, but this has helped me see a different perspective of people with mental health diagnosis as well as their supports.

As the mother of a bipolar teenager, I found this book to be very true, powerful and particularly educational for those who have never dealt with mental illness in the family. I'm sure it must have been extremely painful and difficult for both Linea and Cinda to go back and relive their experiences in order to share their stories. It truly shed a light on how devastating mental illness is for both the patient and the family and how challenging it is to get appropriate medical care and to navigate the maze of doctors, hospitals and insurance companies, not to mention the huge financial costs for care and medications. The only way mental illness will lose the stigma and become treated the same as physical illness is for people to read books such as this and understand that it can happen to anyone regardless of how "typical" a family may be. However, it also demonstrated that there is hope if you can make it through the many crises along the way.

This book touched home for me. I have two diagnosed sons. One bipolar two. One schizophrenic. I have read many,many books on mental illness.I have never been so moved by a story. The writing is so well done. The experience this family went through really touched close to our own experience. This story really helped put into perspective the day to day struggles my kids go through. I often want to say snap at of it. Quit being so mean.I know they are ill but it can be so exhausting. I believe they realy can't help it. That doesn't mean I have to put up with it. But they really can't deal. The day to much more work for them. Not to say it's not for us. I have more sympathy, compassion and respect for this illness. I'm not saying we didn't already know what struggles this illness creates. I just feel this story was empowering. I have learned more patients, and respect for my kids. Quite sad. A must read. Thank you for sharing your story. Very brave.

As a mother of a son suffering with Bipolar II disorder it was important to read another family's story from both the perspective of the sufferer and her family. I have read many stories written by or about Bipolar I sufferers, but had found none that addressed the particular issues of Bipolar II & rapid cycling, and in particular the increased risk of suicide.This disease can be so isolating for both parties in terms of people's perception of mental illness and the general lack of understanding for all concerned. The message they get across is something I want to scream from the rooftops as we fight for understanding and support for our son.I was touched also by the minefield that is the mental health service in the USA as it is still very much an issue here in the UK with lack of support for patients and their families being a key problem. Something I too wish to help change.Thank you Linea and Cinda for sharing your story so honestly and eloquently.

Insightful.