If you loved
My Mad Fat Diary
Rae Earl · Series · 2013
What hooked you in My Mad Fat Diary was the raw, unflinching way it balances the painful realities of mental health with the messy, vital process of growing up.
Books on the same thread
Guts
Raina Telgemeier · Book · 2019
Like My Mad Fat Diary, this graphic memoir handles the intersection of physical health and anxiety with a vulnerable honesty that captures the internal struggles of adolescence.
The Blue Girl
Charles De Lint · Book · 2004
Much like the social navigation seen in My Mad Fat Diary, this story centers on an outsider finding her footing and forming essential bonds within a challenging high school landscape.
Reminders of Him
Colleen Hoover · Book · 2022
This narrative mirrors the themes of redemption and past mistakes found in My Mad Fat Diary, focusing on a protagonist seeking to reclaim her life after a period of isolation.
Little Bee: A Novel
Chris Cleave · Book · 2010
The exploration of childhood trauma and the necessity of human connection in this novel echoes the emotional depth and difficult recovery process experienced by Rae in My Mad Fat Diary.
Films on the same thread
Girl, Interrupted
James Mangold · Film · 1999
This film provides a look at institutionalization similar to the premise of My Mad Fat Diary, examining the blurred lines between personal identity and the stigma of mental health treatment.
Mary and Max
Adam Elliot · Film · 2009
The unlikely, supportive friendships that combat loneliness in this film reflect the heart of My Mad Fat Diary, showing how connection can bridge the gap between isolated individuals.
When Marnie Was There
Hiromasa Yonebayashi · Film · 2014
This film captures the same sense of emotional isolation and the search for belonging found in My Mad Fat Diary, using a young girl's perspective to navigate complex internal worlds.
It's Kind of a Funny Story
Anna Boden · Film · 2010
By following a teenager entering a psychiatric ward, this film mirrors the foundational premise of My Mad Fat Diary and the subsequent challenge of reintegrating into the world outside.
Podcasts on the same thread
Morbid
Ash Kelley & Alaina Urquhart · Podcast · 2026
The blend of dark humor and heavy subject matter here mirrors the tonal balance of My Mad Fat Diary, offering a space to process difficult topics with a candid perspective.
A New Untold Story
Podcast
This podcast explores the same themes of overcoming adversity and personal history found in My Mad Fat Diary, providing a biographical look at finding strength within a small-town environment.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is My Mad Fat Diary based on a true story?
My Mad Fat Diary is based on the life of Rae Earl, who wrote the original source material. The show follows her experiences in 1996 Lincolnshire as she navigates returning home from a psychiatric hospital while hiding her mental health and body image struggles from her friend group.
What is the premise of My Mad Fat Diary?
My Mad Fat Diary tells the story of a troubled teenager named Rae who returns to her life in 1996 Lincolnshire after spending four months in a psychiatric hospital. She attempts to reconnect with her best friend Chloe and their group, who believe she was away in France.
Does My Mad Fat Diary feature themes of mental health?
Yes, My Mad Fat Diary focuses on the experiences of Rae, a young girl who has recently been discharged from a psychiatric hospital following a suicide attempt. The show explores her internal struggles with body image and mental health as she tries to reintegrate into her social circle.
When is My Mad Fat Diary set?
My Mad Fat Diary is set in 1996 in Lincolnshire. The narrative centers on Rae as she reconnects with her friend Chloe and their social circle after spending four months in a psychiatric hospital, which her friends mistakenly believe was a trip to France.