This podcast episode explores the challenges individuals with brain injuries face when reentering social environments, such as pubs and clubs. The discussion centers around the specific issues of visual impairment and the anxiety it can provoke. Allan shares personal experiences and strategies for navigating unfamiliar spaces with limited peripheral vision. The importance of asking for support and communicating one's disability to others is highlighted, as well as building confidence.

Cognitive challenges and the need to adapt environments to accommodate individuals with non-physical disabilities, are other topics of discussion. Allan emphasizes the value of education and raising awareness about invisible disabilities, urging society to embrace differences and provide equal opportunities for all.

"...you shouldn't be scared to be disabled..."

"...to ask for help is the biggest success in life..."

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Discussion in this episode focuses on personal experiences, vulnerabilities, and health issues related to alcohol and drug use in individuals with brain injuries. Allan and Richard highlight the rapid intoxication experienced by individuals with brain injuries, leading to decreased awareness and decision-making abilities. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the implications of alcohol use on brain injury recovery and the rehabilitation progress. The benefits and societal challenges of abstinence are discussed, but individual preferences and experiences are valued. 

The episode also addresses the interaction between alcohol and medications, emphasizing the potential risks and consequences. For example, the increased risk of epilepsy associated with alcohol use after brain injury. Richard and Allan end with an interesting discussion about the paradoxical impact of alcohol on mood, including its potential to worsen depression.

"...sober one second and completely drunk the next..."

"...if you throw alcohol into the mix, you're making it (the brain) work three times as hard..."

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This podcast episode delves into the topic of vulnerability in society for individuals with brain injuries. It explores the challenges faced when navigating public places, where alcohol may be present and financial vulnerability may arise. Richard and Allan discuss the unique vulnerabilities that arise from brain injuries and the difficulty in identifying risks and dangerous situations. They emphasize the importance of acceptance and self-awareness in managing vulnerability.

Allan shares personal experiences and strategies for mitigating risks, including creating lists of trusted friends and categorizing them by their level of understanding and support. This episode highlights the complex nature of vulnerability, the need for education and awareness in society, and the importance of support networks for individuals with brain injuries.

How do you know who the right people are in society? 

How long does acceptance take? Does age affect this process?

"...I was learning about a brain injury whilst having a brain injury..."

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In this episode, Allan talks in detail about the complexities and dangers of using social media, particularly for somebody with difficulties arising from brain injury or neurological disorder. The ways in which social media can make socialising both more and less challenging are discussed, for example in terms of causing difficulties interpreting social cues, feeding poor self-image, and improving connectivity. Allan explains how he used important mistakes to reflect on how to use platforms positively. 

Other topics include relationships and trust, dating apps, and tips for improving confidence and maintaining boundaries online. 

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Today, the focus is on financial vulnerability - something many of us don't really have to consider. Allan had to manage discussions around mental capacity from a young age, but had positive experiences with the Court of Protection, particularly around life skills. 

Richard and Allan explain what capacity actually means, and the kinds of questions that the Court of Protection would look at to help a person make financial decisions. They discuss vulnerability around money and women in particular, why Allan has to have someone manage his finances, impulsivity, social skills, and the process of obtaining support from the CoP. 

Are there any downsides to the CoP? Can Allan see a future without a need for the CoP? What does vulnerability mean to Allan?

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In this episode, Allan talks about the difficulty he experienced in identifiyng his depression, amongst the chaos and confusion in early recovery. Did being younger help him cope with the various changes?

After being initially resistant to accepting help, Allan explains how he managed his depression by eventually seeing value in accepting support, before then discussing his current coping strategies and medication use. 

The idea of continually recovering, experiencing grief as a loved one, and the difficulty that social media can pose, are other topics of discussion. 

"...the equipment you use to think about and understand what has happened is impacted... ...that was my first day in the classroom..."

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It can be easy to feel a lot of frustration, at oneself and others, particularly early on in rehabilitation from a brain injury or other neurological diagnosis. 

Today, Richard and Allan offer insight into coping with anger toward the self, dealing with low self-confidence, and the impact of these feelings on loved ones. Allan gives some useful tips on improving concentration, and working positively with therapists. They also touch on risk, in terms of impulsivity, and discuss the process of going through a medical legal claim - which was the lowest point in Allan's journey. 

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Join Allan and Richard today as they discuss how to understand and identify fatigue, in working towards long-term recovery from a brain injury. 

Allan explains how fatigue can easily be confused with feelings of excitement, anxiety, and also new symptoms in those early days after injury. There's no doubt that sleep is integral to anybody's well-being, but Allan highlights its particularly critical role in managing fatigue symptoms, alongside paying attention to early warning signs. 

Other topics include the effect of alcohol, feeling stigmatised in social situations, difficulties planning and travelling, understanding you as an individual, and the supportive role of family and friends. 

"...it's like playing a game of 11 aside football with only 8 players..."

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In the first episode of Insight Out with Richard and Allan, they talk all things anxiety - what this means to Allan in the context of his injury, his current anxieties, medication... 

As his accident happened at a young age, Allan's experiences of maturing with a brain injury are ones he often reflects back on. Having to adjust to different kinds of support, from inpatient rehabilitation to independent living, this was a critical time for his recovery. 

"...it was like being a new-born baby in a 17-year old's body..."

Topics such as facing judgement from others, social media risks, coping with physical disabilities, and body image are discussed. 

How do you cope being told you might not ever be like you used to be? How do you know what you're recovering towards? Is there such a thing as being 'recovered'?

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Welcome to Insight Out with Richard and Allan! This is the place where all things brain injury are discussed - struggles, setbacks, successes, achievements... you name it.

Allan has come a long way since his accident at seventeen years old, and hopes to offer guidance and inspiration to others on their own journey. His reflections can help not only those with a brain injury, but also those who support them in any capacity, as well as anybody who simply wants to learn more. 

Take a listen and please let us know what you think: @psychologychartered | https://psychologychartered.co.uk/get-in-touch/