Channel 4’s Bedlam offers a glimpse into other people’s private hells

James is among the patients featured in this moving documentary

Each and every one of us, no matter how well-balanced and normal we think we are, has a foible. Some of us are more fucked-up than others, but the people who allowed us a glimpse into their own private nightmares in this opening episode of Channel 4’s new series Bedlam, were among the top one per cent of Britain’s most anxious.

We were, of course, at the South London and Maudsley psychiatric institution (aka the Bethlem Royal Hospital – aka Bedlam), where we were introduced to – among a couple of others – Helen, who was convinced she spent every waking minute shoving strangers in rubbish bins – and James, a young man whose life had been ruined for years by his crippling fear of soiling himself in public.

On the face of it, Helen’s story seemed open-and-shut – she just needed to understand that her totally irrational terror of doing harm to other people was all in her head. Until we were told this paralysing anxiety had cost her a long-term relationship and forced her to become a virtual prisoner in her own home for two years. So much for open and shut… A stay at the institution looked to be her best chance of getting the help she needed.

Likewise James, an articulate, intelligent young man who was absolutely terrified of shitting himself in public. His story took up a little more of the programme, though quite rightly, as it emerged his demons were a great deal more monstrous than having an in-trouser accident…

As a viewer burdened with neither Helen nor James’ anxieties, it would have been simple to sit with my arms folded and dismiss their issues as plain daft or easy to get over. But watching James in the middle of a therapy session, confronting his most horrific fears, was heartbreaking.

I wouldn’t trade places with either of them, and while I don’t pretend to understand their conditions, after watching this documentary, but I certainly have a lot more sympathy.

THE WHO, WHAT, WHEN OF IT

WHAT’S IT CALLED?

Bedlam

WHEN IS IT ON?

9pm, Thursday, October 31

WHAT CHANNEL?

Channel 4

WHO’S IN IT?

Nobody famous at all

WHO SHOULD WATCH IT?

Anyone facing similar mental struggles in silence. You’re not alone.

WHO SHOULDN’T WATCH IT?

Dismissive folk who lack empathy.