Bellevue Mother and Daughter Describe Struggle WIth Mental Illness in Memoir

Linea Johnson, who grew up in Bellevue and went to Sammamish High School, struggled with bipolar disorder in her teens and young adulthood, and suffered through bouts of suicidal depression.

Througout the many rounds of medication, hospitalization and electroshock therapy, the Johnsons tried to find a therapy that would help Linea Johnson through her symptoms of bipolar disorder.

They recently spoke with Linda Thomas of MyNorthwest.com about the struggle to find relief from Linea Johnson's mental illness.

She and her mother, Cinda Johnson, recently released a memoir of their story, called "Perfect Chaos." The book has been published by St. Martin's Press. The publishing company describes the book: 

The Johnsons were a close and loving family living in the Seattle area - two parents, two incomes, two bright and accomplished daughters. They led busy lives filled with music lessons, college preparation, career demands, and laughter around the dinner table. Then the younger daughter, Linea, started experiencing crippling bouts of suicidal depression. Multiple trips to the psych ward resulted in a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, and it took many trial runs of drugs and ultimately electroshock therapy to bring Linea back. But her family never gave up on her. And Linea never stopped trying to find her way back to them.

Perfect Chaos is the story of a mother and daughter’s journey through mental illness towards hope. From initial worrying symptoms to long sleepless nights to cross-country flights and the slow understanding and rebuilding of trust, Perfect Chaos tells Linea and Cinda’s harrowing and inspiring story, of an illness that they conquer together every day. It is the story of a daughter’s courage, a mother’s faith, and the love that carried them through the darkest times.

Online:

MyNorthwest.com: The mental health maze - like climbing down a ladder to hell

St. Martin's Press: Perfect Chaos