Instead of reading, you could also just listen …
Just be odd — to push the brain towards curiosity
What happens to our fear, when we laugh?
Our fear disintegrates. For that reason, we cannot be afraid, when we wonder about what is going on.
We try hard to make sense of the world, and funny things do not happen in scary places.
In the case that something funny happens, the place cannot be so scary.
Often we doctors do not dare, to be considered funny communicators. We maintain the respectable appearance, but in this way, we erect a wall between us and the paediatric patient.
What is the effect of oddness?
When we see something odd, our brain says — “Hold on! I need further information to come to a conclusion about this!”
The first statement is a neutral statement, the second one is already an expression of curiosity.
Seeking more information is an act of curiosity.
Therefore, an odd encounter in a moment of fear (mild to moderate fear) will push the brain towards curiosity.
And curiosity and fear cannot exist in the same brain at the same time.
How to kindle the flame of curiosity?
After the patient experiences something odd and non-threatening, they are actively searching for clues. They seek to come to a conclusion if they are safe here.
All we as doctors have to do at that moment is to provide the optimal clues about our trustworthiness.
We need to actively open the door for the patient, for them to decide whether they can dare to trust us.
We cannot demand trust, we only can make ourselves as approachable as possible.
The initial trust of the patient is a very precious gift.
In a nutshell:
Being odd, at the beginning of the encounter, pushes the brain of the patient from fear to curiosity.
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