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Completely Normal and Totally Fine: My Life with Bipolar Disorder
'Unflinching' BIPOLAR UK
'Rosie is an inspiration' DUA LIPA
'Full of humour and hope' HANNAH MURRAY
''Raw, honest and surprisingly upbeat' SUNDAY TIMES
In 2018, model Rosie Viva was arrested after a psychotic episode at Stansted Airport led to a full evacuation. Hospitalised and diagnosed with bipolar disorder, her life changed overnight.
In Completely Normal and Totally Fine, Rosie shares her powerful journey through mania, depression and recovery - navigating love, work, and identity while embracing a new normal. With honesty and heart, she sheds light on the realities of bipolar disorder and challenges the stigma around mental health, encouraging us all to speak more openly about our messy minds.
'Bursts with authenticity and warmth. A gift to anyone touched by bipolar.'
LEANNE TOSHIKO SIMPSON, AUTHOR OF NEVER BEEN BETTER
"A fittingly open and honest account of what happens when you lose your mind"
SERVICE95
'Rosie is an inspiration' DUA LIPA
'Full of humour and hope' HANNAH MURRAY
''Raw, honest and surprisingly upbeat' SUNDAY TIMES
In 2018, model Rosie Viva was arrested after a psychotic episode at Stansted Airport led to a full evacuation. Hospitalised and diagnosed with bipolar disorder, her life changed overnight.
In Completely Normal and Totally Fine, Rosie shares her powerful journey through mania, depression and recovery - navigating love, work, and identity while embracing a new normal. With honesty and heart, she sheds light on the realities of bipolar disorder and challenges the stigma around mental health, encouraging us all to speak more openly about our messy minds.
'Bursts with authenticity and warmth. A gift to anyone touched by bipolar.'
LEANNE TOSHIKO SIMPSON, AUTHOR OF NEVER BEEN BETTER
"A fittingly open and honest account of what happens when you lose your mind"
SERVICE95
- GenresNonfictionAudiobook
230 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 8, 2025
6 people are currently reading
336 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 21, 2025
Such an authentic, open and honest piece of writing, touching on so many of the more stigmatised aspects of mental illness. Rosie’s story will no doubt help so many people coming to terms with their own diagnosis as well as those wanting to find out more about Bipolar. Cried and laughed and couldn’t put it down. I loved reading this.
June 13, 2025
“If I could reach even one person with bipolar, it was worth doing. I knew how it felt to be desperate for hope.”
Undoubtedly an important book for anyone, young or old, who has bipolar disorder or other mental illness, as well as those looking to better understand and support those who do. Rosie is open, funny and honest in sharing her experience— a story that’s touching and so important to be told.
Absolutely flew through this book and can’t wait to recommend it to others. ♥︎
Undoubtedly an important book for anyone, young or old, who has bipolar disorder or other mental illness, as well as those looking to better understand and support those who do. Rosie is open, funny and honest in sharing her experience— a story that’s touching and so important to be told.
Absolutely flew through this book and can’t wait to recommend it to others. ♥︎
May 27, 2025
Everyone should read this to not only learn about bipolar but also to reflect on mental health more broadly even if you’ve never struggled yourself. You’ll walk away feeling that little bit lighter and brighter.
May 19, 2025
This is a book I’ll be recommending to friends and loved ones for years to come. Rosie’s retelling of her experience with bipolar disorder is raw, honest, and at times unexpectedly funny. It's a blend of personal experience and essential education, and I love how Rosie covers all the different aspects of life that her bipolar (and mental illness in general) intertwines with. A book everyone should pick up♥️
May 14, 2025
Completely Normal and Totally Fine was the second memoir I’ve read about someone living with bipolar disorder, and Rosie Viva does an incredible job sharing her journey with honesty and clarity. She takes readers through what led to her diagnosis and offers a candid look at the realities of living with bipolar — the highs, the lows, and everything in between.
What really stood out to me was how Rosie gave voice to thoughts and fears that many people with bipolar often keep hidden. As someone with bipolar myself, I found her words incredibly validating. I caught myself thinking, “I’ve felt that too,” more than once.
This book is both informative for those wanting to better understand bipolar disorder and encouraging for those of us who live with it. If we’re going to break the stigma around mental health, we need more stories like Rosie’s. Her openness is a meaningful step toward that goal.
What really stood out to me was how Rosie gave voice to thoughts and fears that many people with bipolar often keep hidden. As someone with bipolar myself, I found her words incredibly validating. I caught myself thinking, “I’ve felt that too,” more than once.
This book is both informative for those wanting to better understand bipolar disorder and encouraging for those of us who live with it. If we’re going to break the stigma around mental health, we need more stories like Rosie’s. Her openness is a meaningful step toward that goal.
September 20, 2025
I’ve never felt so seen and understood about what it’s like living with bipolar disorder. Rosie, you put words to so many emotions I’ve been feeling for the last four years since my diagnosis, thank you for sharing your story.
At 26, reading a book on bipolar disorder by someone almost my age felt especially meaningful, it really moved me. Every word resonated with me, you wrote down a lot of things I had thought but didn’t have the right words for.
I will share this book with my friends and family so they can finally understand what I’ve been going through.
Merci!
At 26, reading a book on bipolar disorder by someone almost my age felt especially meaningful, it really moved me. Every word resonated with me, you wrote down a lot of things I had thought but didn’t have the right words for.
I will share this book with my friends and family so they can finally understand what I’ve been going through.
Merci!
May 20, 2025
Wow I loved this! Even though I studied bipolar among other mental health disorders during my psychology degree I don’t think you can truly understand it until you read someone’s actual experience. It was so eye opening and you can tell that Rosie was so open and honest in telling her story. This was very easy to read and I always found myself wanting to read one more chapter! Highly recommend :)
May 16, 2025
As someone who knew very little about bipolar before reading, Rosie's book really opened my eyes. A hugely interesting and surprisingly not heavy read, one that I won't forget.
I'll take many lessons with me from this book. Importantly a better understanding of how so many of us are struggling, at varying degrees and extremities, and that actually there is a commonality here that is shared between us all.
There is power in storytelling. With the conversation around mental health more important than ever, this is a forcible story to have shared.
I'll take many lessons with me from this book. Importantly a better understanding of how so many of us are struggling, at varying degrees and extremities, and that actually there is a commonality here that is shared between us all.
There is power in storytelling. With the conversation around mental health more important than ever, this is a forcible story to have shared.
May 29, 2025
Wow, I finished this book in 1 day. If that doesn’t say how incredible it is, I don’t know what does!
This book was so raw, real and honest. I teared up so many times through out reading it - I don’t have bipolar myself, but I learned so much about it from this book. This book was also SO relatable for anyone who has suffered mentally, in any way. So many times I felt seen reading this and felt emotional with how relatable it was.
An amazing book for anyone to read 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ !!!!
This book was so raw, real and honest. I teared up so many times through out reading it - I don’t have bipolar myself, but I learned so much about it from this book. This book was also SO relatable for anyone who has suffered mentally, in any way. So many times I felt seen reading this and felt emotional with how relatable it was.
An amazing book for anyone to read 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ !!!!
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September 6, 2025I finished this book last month, but I really wanted to set aside time to ruminate before writing a review. Based on her social media, I believe that Rosie monitors these reviews; consequently, I hope my delivery is constructive, not damaging. I love what Rosie has done with her platform, and it just doesn't feel right to reduce her immense vulnerability to a star rating. Nevertheless, I have many, many thoughts on this book.
Now, I understand I'm saying this as an American and not an English person, but I still believe that if Rosie had done what she did at London Stansted Airport as a black or brown person, she would have served time. She admits she narrowly dodged jail time due to how harmless and innocent she looked, which is often not a luxury afforded to black and brown people in acute mental health episodes. Obviously, Rosie cannot control that she is white in a predominantly white country, but it's unnerving to consider the possible outcome if she was not. I personally would love to see Rosie tackle that discrepancy in future projects. Maybe she can chat with people in marginalized communities about how their episodes were handled (or mishandled) by the police. Rosie is immensely privileged and I'd love to see her use her platform to highlight groups that are often criminalized for their mental health crises. Just an idea!
Speaking of privilege, the reader realizes within the first few pages of this book that Rosie comes from quite a wealthy background. Not comfortable - wealthy. She casually talks about how her parents fully funded her apartment, life, etc. in London (one of the most expensive cities in the world) for at least a year. At some point, she quickly mentions that after her hospitalization, her mother was essentially forced into early retirement. The con there was her mother would not have her own separate life, not the fact that her parents would be losing half of their income...Also, when she doesn't want a job, she quits! Honestly, I would too if I could. Partway through the book, she writes about leaving her job to relax in her parents' country home for an indeterminate amount of time.
Obviously, it's great that Rosie has an amazing family and doesn't have to worry about money. But sometimes her level of wealth makes this book difficult to relate to. Bipolar disorder is factually one of the most crippling disorders in the world. Of course I want to quit my job all the time! But I can't. Especially not in this economy. That's not Rosie's fault at all, but at times, some of the sections in this seemed a bit out of touch. Again, it's okay that she's rich! I just wish she would draw the line from her wealth to her largely successful recovery.
Gah! I have no kind way of saying this: I would not recommend this book to someone who is newly diagnosed. Which sucks because it seems like the perfect book to give to a young person with a fresh diagnosis. However, one section of this book did surprise me. In a moment of vulnerability (which I admire), Rosie says she went to a festival with friends and took drugs - it's heavily implied that it's molly. That part is fine, a girl can have fun. What made me raise an eyebrow was when she essentially said that if you're young and bipolar in recovery, you too can let loose and do drugs with friends! Without an accompanying laundry list of health advice, this felt like an irresponsible lesson to impart. If I'd read this right after being diagnosed, I probably would've gone on a bender. She just writes about it like it's casual and fun. This should not have been included without also mentioning the intersection of bipolar disorder and staggering addiction rates, severe drug-induced psychosis, and drug-induced mania. I'm not an anti-drug person, but I do know what it feels like to desperately want to feel like a normal, experimental 20-something after a life-changing diagnosis. Give this to someone after they've read An Unquiet Mind and other books, and have had time to settle into the diagnosis. I still think everyone should buy and read this.
Overall, I will one thousand percent follow the rest of Rosie's career. Her BBC documentary absolutely changed the course of my recovery. I don't think I've ever rewatched a Youtube video more in my life. Two years post-diagnosis, I've moved to my dream city and have a great life. I truly don't know if I would've thought this was possible if I hadn't seen her video when I did. She's so right - young people really need someone like her in this space. My thoughts on this book don't change that at all. Keep going!
Now, I understand I'm saying this as an American and not an English person, but I still believe that if Rosie had done what she did at London Stansted Airport as a black or brown person, she would have served time. She admits she narrowly dodged jail time due to how harmless and innocent she looked, which is often not a luxury afforded to black and brown people in acute mental health episodes. Obviously, Rosie cannot control that she is white in a predominantly white country, but it's unnerving to consider the possible outcome if she was not. I personally would love to see Rosie tackle that discrepancy in future projects. Maybe she can chat with people in marginalized communities about how their episodes were handled (or mishandled) by the police. Rosie is immensely privileged and I'd love to see her use her platform to highlight groups that are often criminalized for their mental health crises. Just an idea!
Speaking of privilege, the reader realizes within the first few pages of this book that Rosie comes from quite a wealthy background. Not comfortable - wealthy. She casually talks about how her parents fully funded her apartment, life, etc. in London (one of the most expensive cities in the world) for at least a year. At some point, she quickly mentions that after her hospitalization, her mother was essentially forced into early retirement. The con there was her mother would not have her own separate life, not the fact that her parents would be losing half of their income...Also, when she doesn't want a job, she quits! Honestly, I would too if I could. Partway through the book, she writes about leaving her job to relax in her parents' country home for an indeterminate amount of time.
Obviously, it's great that Rosie has an amazing family and doesn't have to worry about money. But sometimes her level of wealth makes this book difficult to relate to. Bipolar disorder is factually one of the most crippling disorders in the world. Of course I want to quit my job all the time! But I can't. Especially not in this economy. That's not Rosie's fault at all, but at times, some of the sections in this seemed a bit out of touch. Again, it's okay that she's rich! I just wish she would draw the line from her wealth to her largely successful recovery.
Gah! I have no kind way of saying this: I would not recommend this book to someone who is newly diagnosed. Which sucks because it seems like the perfect book to give to a young person with a fresh diagnosis. However, one section of this book did surprise me. In a moment of vulnerability (which I admire), Rosie says she went to a festival with friends and took drugs - it's heavily implied that it's molly. That part is fine, a girl can have fun. What made me raise an eyebrow was when she essentially said that if you're young and bipolar in recovery, you too can let loose and do drugs with friends! Without an accompanying laundry list of health advice, this felt like an irresponsible lesson to impart. If I'd read this right after being diagnosed, I probably would've gone on a bender. She just writes about it like it's casual and fun. This should not have been included without also mentioning the intersection of bipolar disorder and staggering addiction rates, severe drug-induced psychosis, and drug-induced mania. I'm not an anti-drug person, but I do know what it feels like to desperately want to feel like a normal, experimental 20-something after a life-changing diagnosis. Give this to someone after they've read An Unquiet Mind and other books, and have had time to settle into the diagnosis. I still think everyone should buy and read this.
Overall, I will one thousand percent follow the rest of Rosie's career. Her BBC documentary absolutely changed the course of my recovery. I don't think I've ever rewatched a Youtube video more in my life. Two years post-diagnosis, I've moved to my dream city and have a great life. I truly don't know if I would've thought this was possible if I hadn't seen her video when I did. She's so right - young people really need someone like her in this space. My thoughts on this book don't change that at all. Keep going!
July 10, 2025
This book is such a detailed and compassionate look into what it can be like living with bipolar and how it affects people’s mental health.
It gives such a valuable insight into Rosie’s life and how she’s learnt to cope with a bipolar 1 diagnosis in 2018, at the age of 22. It charters her life up to a severe psychotic episode then, which led to her diagnosis, and it relates how she has learnt to cope with her symptoms so far.
She describes what it’s like having really high moods and really low moods, the sorts of things she may do and how she has very little control over what her mind believes when this happens. It was astounding finding out what can happen to people with bipolar, the dramatic changes to feelings and thoughts, and will certainly make me think twice if I see someone behaving in a way I wouldn’t expect.
This is such a useful book for anyone with bipolar, but also for their family, friends and colleagues. Rosie lets us into her mind here and there’s plenty to take away to help people support someone in a similar situation, or gain comfort from the fact you’re not alone if you have a similar diagnosis.
Rosie’s message is one of hope and she shows how it’s still possible to have a good job and make the most of life after diagnosis.
I was sent this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
It gives such a valuable insight into Rosie’s life and how she’s learnt to cope with a bipolar 1 diagnosis in 2018, at the age of 22. It charters her life up to a severe psychotic episode then, which led to her diagnosis, and it relates how she has learnt to cope with her symptoms so far.
She describes what it’s like having really high moods and really low moods, the sorts of things she may do and how she has very little control over what her mind believes when this happens. It was astounding finding out what can happen to people with bipolar, the dramatic changes to feelings and thoughts, and will certainly make me think twice if I see someone behaving in a way I wouldn’t expect.
This is such a useful book for anyone with bipolar, but also for their family, friends and colleagues. Rosie lets us into her mind here and there’s plenty to take away to help people support someone in a similar situation, or gain comfort from the fact you’re not alone if you have a similar diagnosis.
Rosie’s message is one of hope and she shows how it’s still possible to have a good job and make the most of life after diagnosis.
I was sent this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
July 28, 2025
I listened to the audio book version of this book, and I think it was a great choice. Rosie has a great personality and character, and I could really hear this in her voice the whole way through.
Reading this book was an interesting journey to take. When they say that reading a book is like a roller coaster, nothing is more true about a book about bipolar. To have to learn to deal with chronic difficulties is very hard, but to have to deal with chronic difficulties that are constantly changing state and are unpredictable is unbelievably challenging.
Big thumbs up to me and I'd be interested in any more content (including the mentioned documentary that may or may not be published, one day) that Rosie produces in the future.
Reading this book was an interesting journey to take. When they say that reading a book is like a roller coaster, nothing is more true about a book about bipolar. To have to learn to deal with chronic difficulties is very hard, but to have to deal with chronic difficulties that are constantly changing state and are unpredictable is unbelievably challenging.
Big thumbs up to me and I'd be interested in any more content (including the mentioned documentary that may or may not be published, one day) that Rosie produces in the future.
November 11, 2025
Last year I was diagnosted with bipolar dissorder after 3 episodes, I was travelling and I was far from my family and friends. There were complicated days. After I had a depression that I just could recognized reading this book. This book is so touching for me because I felt understand, makes me realize why I didn´t have the same energy in social events, why my feelings can´t be differents from others even if we experience the same, being closer to my family because they also suffer some consecuences with my episodes and diagnosis, how to canalize my hypes, meeting more people with the same diagnosis and knowing that this is a process with ups and downs. Thanks to Rosie for sharing so open her life, feelings and thoughs
November 14, 2025
This was a great memoir about living with bipolar, clear and honest and funny. She details all aspects of her journey, from the psychotic manic episode that kept her in a hospital ward for several months, to some of the benefits of the hypomanic 'highs'. Most importantly, she's aiming to help others, especially those living with bipolar, better understand the disease and feel less alone or hopeless, by showing how she came out the other side - not to a 'cure', but to living with and managing the condition in a way that doesn't interfere with living a good life. It's a realistic and hopeful look at how to live with mental illness, and what you can learn from it.
June 15, 2025
A must read for anyone experiencing bipolar disorder 1 or type 2 or a loved one or friend supporting someone with the condition. Rosie writes with such passion and honestly. It really is genuinely heartwarming to read a mental health memoir with so much positivity and hope for the future. Thank you for sharing your story and shining a light on the disorder.
June 11, 2025
This helped me understand me
September 24, 2025
such an honest and eye opening tale of discoverihg and accepting mental illness, from it's highs to it's lows
December 21, 2025
This is a memoir about being diagnosed and living with bipolar disorder.
I have a degree in psychology, and my mother was bipolar, undiagnosed though, so this was a must-read for me. Very interesting read of all the ups and downs Rosie went through until today. Very inspiring and an important book to spread awareness.
I have a degree in psychology, and my mother was bipolar, undiagnosed though, so this was a must-read for me. Very interesting read of all the ups and downs Rosie went through until today. Very inspiring and an important book to spread awareness.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews