The injured brainThe injured brain
All In The Mind
In Australia 700,000 people are living with an acquired brain injury—often as a result of a traffic accident, fall, or contact sport. The injuries range in severity, but new research is emerging that even concussions after one or two knocks to the head should be taken seriously.
29:44•3 Apr 2016
The Injured Brain: Concussions, Identity and the Long Road Back
Episode Overview
- Even mild brain injuries and concussions should be taken seriously, especially when they are repeated.
- Head trauma can lead to wide‑ranging mood, behavioural and cognitive changes that may persist long after the initial injury.
- Intensive rehabilitation, including cognitive training, medication and practices like meditation and yoga, can support recovery.
- Creative approaches such as art therapy can help people process trauma and adjust to a changed identity after brain injury.
- Greater public understanding and compassion are needed so people with brain injury can participate more fully in work, relationships and community life.
“We need to take acquired brain injury seriously, including mild brain injury, especially if it's a repeated brain injury.”
Ever wondered what it takes to rebuild life after the brain has been badly hurt? This episode of All In The Mind looks at acquired brain injury from every angle, mixing hard science with raw personal stories. You’ll hear neuropsychiatrist Dr Sandeep Vashnavi explain why even “just a concussion” can be “a big deal”, calling acquired brain injury a “silent epidemic”.
He breaks down how mild, moderate and severe injuries can lead to mood changes, personality shifts and problems with memory, attention and multitasking. There’s clear, practical discussion on repeated knocks to the head in sport, the risks for children, and why long-term emotional and cognitive symptoms often get missed. The episode then shifts to the harrowing but hopeful story of artist and art therapist Rebecca Sciroli, whose stepfather attacked her with a hammer.
She talks about hallucinations in hospital, paralysis on her left side, ongoing epileptic seizures and the long slog of rehabilitation. Through art, journal‑keeping and intensive therapy, she worked towards accepting “the new Rebecca” and now focuses on helping others see “they are still worthwhile human beings and they can do a lot with their life.” Nick Rushworth, executive officer of Brain Injury Australia, adds a wider lens.
After his own severe cycling accident, he became an advocate for the 700,000 Australians living with brain injury. He shares sobering statistics about employment, relationships and long‑term care costs, and argues that public understanding of brain injury is decades behind other disabilities. His message is clear: “prepare to be surprised by the capacity of people to repair and recover,” especially when society meets them with knowledge and compassion.
If you’re curious about how an injured brain can reshape identity, family life and hope for the future, this episode offers science, real stories and a challenge to rethink what recovery might mean.
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