Perhaps if we were in a more playful mindset when we went to the doctor it would not be such a chore.

When we play with our friends, we just seem to be on the same wavelength. You can talk and understand each other easily. Do you have disagreements? Sure you do, but you can usually get back to the task at hand, playing, pretty easily.

What if we could get into that playful mindset when going to the doctor?

I believe treating a doctor’s visit like play can make the communication part of the visit much less difficult.

You’re thinking that doctors don’t have time to play. Generally, you’re right. But, we’re not really talking about playing; we are talking about the play mindset. The play mindset is open, giving, receiving, and strives to understand. If just one person is in this mindset, the other will generally come along to some degree

What would a playful mindset look like at a doctor visit? Imagine you’ve been waiting for your doctor for 30 minutes and you forgot to bring your book and the examination table does not look too appealing for that nap you really wanted to take. You are in the office today because you are worried about a new mole on your back that your husband saw.

The doctor walks in. You have the option to be annoyed, closed off, & quiet, which will ultimately hurt your chances of a quick and proper diagnosis.

Instead, you jump up and shake hands vigorously saying, “Whew, what a wait! You must be incredibly busy. Come on in, take a seat, let’s do this!!”

You are smiling, happy and even over the top. I guarantee that you have caught this doctor off guard. She barely knows what to say, but she is smiling. It’s a real smile, the kind that shows in the eyes.

Now, off you go, explaining about the mole, saying that you are worried about it; it has been there, you think, for less than a month. Your husband just saw it. It doesn’t hurt; you’re not sure if it has changed. You explain that you are just worried because of all the stuff you’ve heard about skin cancers. You have a genuine playful conversation with your doctor about a very real, scary thing. You are able to converse because you kept yourself in a good, chatty mood, despite circumstances neither you nor your doctor could overcome. Your doctor is really happy now. She knows what the appointment is about, why you are worried and can now get about her job of asking you a question or two and taking a look.

I know that putting all of your feelings aside and being eager and excited to greet the doctor is difficult to do. When you are a patient, you are worried. It is hard to play when you are worried. It is sometimes hard to be kind when you are worried.

Remember why you go to the doctor: for advice and for treatment. Once you receive advice and begin treatment, you start to feel better. Instead of waiting until you’re finished seeing the doctor, why not start your appointment knowing that you will get the help you need? When you went to the playground or to your friend’s party as a kid, you knew how much fun you were going to have. When you start with the expectation that everything will be okay, your mindset is different. It may be easier to “play.”

You control what you think and what you think affects your mood. Start your doctor’s visit with the assumption that everything will be okay and that you may even get to have some fun.

Remember, your feelings are your responsibility.