Bragg haunted by lifelong out-of-body episodes

BARON Melvyn Bragg has spoken about a lifelong mental struggle, describing how since his teens he has had moments when he feels dissociated from his body.

- By Ross Kaniuk

The broadcaster and author, 85, said the episodes have recurred intermittently for more than 70 years. Despite the distress they caused, he has never sought medical help, believing he would not be taken seriously.

Bragg, who is best known for presenting The South Bank Show, recalled first experi encing the sensation as a teenager, when it left him terrified of being alone or walking past shop windows because he could not believe the reflection was him.

The problem eased before returning returned in his twenties and, though less fre quent, it still troubles him from time to time.

He said: “The source of it was that I felt that my ‘self’ had gone out of myself, is the easiest way [to describe it]. I had been lying in bed, I had a little bedroom to myself, and then I would see a light ~ it’s ridiculous, isn’t it — in the corner of the room, a light, not a switch, and I actually thought ‘That’s me’.