8 Strategies for Explaining Complex Brain-Behavior Relationships to Patients
This concise guide presents eight practical strategies for healthcare providers to explain complex brain-behavior relationships to patients. Drawing from expert insights in neuroscience and clinical psychology, these approaches transform abstract concepts into understandable frameworks. The article offers actionable communication techniques using metaphors, everyday experiences, and relatable analogies that help patients better understand their conditions.
Use Metaphors and Everyday Experiences
One strategy I use to explain complex brain-behavior relationships to patients with limited scientific background is using relatable metaphors and everyday experiences. Neurological concepts can feel abstract and intimidating, so I translate them into stories or analogies that connect to their daily lives. For example, when explaining how stress affects the brain, I might compare the amygdala—the brain's "alarm system"—to a smoke detector. "It's designed to alert you when there's danger," I say, "but sometimes it goes off even when there's no fire, like when your brain misinterprets stress as a real threat." This helps patients understand why they might feel anxious or reactive even when nothing objectively dangerous is happening.
I also use simple visual aids—diagrams showing brain regions with color coding, or illustrations of neural pathways—paired with plain language explanations. Instead of saying "dopamine dysregulation," I might explain, "Dopamine is like a messaging system that tells your brain when something is rewarding. If it's out of balance, you might feel less motivated or have trouble enjoying things." Breaking concepts into bite-sized, relatable chunks prevents overwhelming them and fosters curiosity rather than fear.
Another technique is linking the information directly to their own experience. For instance, when discussing memory circuits or cognitive control, I might ask, "Have you noticed that stress makes it harder to focus on homework or remember appointments?" This creates a personal connection to the scientific explanation, making it tangible and actionable.
By combining metaphors, visuals, and real-life examples, I help patients see that brain processes aren't mysterious—they're patterns they can learn about, understand, and influence. This approach not only educates but also empowers patients, giving them practical insight into why they feel the way they do and motivating them to engage actively in their treatment.
Compare Brain Function to a Garden
How I Help People Understand the Connection Between Their Mind and Behavior
I am Dr. William Deihl, the founder of Doc Hypnosis, where I integrate psychology, neuroscience, and hypnotherapy to help people understand how their mind shapes their everyday thoughts, emotions, and actions. Most of my clients come in without any background in how the brain works, so I've learned to explain things in ways that click for them.
Making Complex Ideas Click
I use simple metaphors that people can easily imagine. For example, I explain to patients that the brain resembles a garden where each thought acts as a seed. The ideas they keep reiterating are the ones that grow, like a plant. It helps them see how their thoughts shape what they feel and how they respond.
Turning Science Into Something You Can Feel and See
I simplify neurological concepts by relating them to real-life experiences. I explain to others that stress resides not only in the mind but also manifests as a tight chest, tension in the shoulders, and a heavy feeling in the stomach. I'll sometimes use visuals too, like showing how one thought can send a ripple through the whole body, so people can see how their mind and body are always connected.
Dr. William Deihl
Founder, Doc Hypnosis
https://dochypnosis.com/
Tools and Keys Analogy Explains Brain
As a pediatric occupational therapist specializing in behavior, I use an analogy I created called "Tools and Keys" to help parents understand complex brain-behavior relationships in a way that is accessible and practical.
In this analogy, tools are the coping strategies we teach children such as deep breathing, asking for help, or using a calm-down space. Keys are the underlying neurological capacities that allow a child to access and use those tools. These include systems like executive functioning, sensory processing, and felt safety. If a child does not have the key, they cannot open the toolbox, even if it is full. And an open toolbox with nothing inside is just as ineffective. Both tools and keys are essential for behavioral regulation.
To support this concept, I use an illustration I created based on my training in executive functions. It is shaped like a house, with behavioral regulation at the top. At the foundation are sensory processing and felt safety. In the middle are the executive functions that support regulation, such as memory, planning, cognitive flexibility, and impulse control. The structure shows how these systems build on one another and interact through bidirectional relationships. If the foundation is unstable, the systems above it cannot function reliably. If the middle is underdeveloped, the top cannot be reached.
When I walk parents through this illustration, I explain how each layer contributes to behavioral regulation. Then I break down where I have observed or parents have reported difficulties in specific areas of the house and how those challenges may be affecting their child's behavior. This helps parents connect what they are seeing at home or school to what is happening in the brain.
This process helps families reframe behavior through a lens of capacity rather than compliance and guides us in developing top-down and bottom-up interventions, accommodations, and environmental supports. Parents frequently tell me, "I never thought of it that way," or express how much they appreciate having both the Tools and Keys analogy and the house illustration to make sense of what their child is experiencing. I often give these visuals to parents to share with other caregivers so that everyone supporting the child has a common understanding and approach.
Connect Brain Functions to Daily Activities
Medical professionals achieve remarkable success when they relate brain functions directly to everyday activities familiar to patients. Understanding how memory impairment affects cooking safety or how attention deficits impact driving becomes immediately relevant through real-world examples. Patients grasp neurological concepts more readily when their doctor explains how brain regions control specific daily routines they value and enjoy.
This approach transforms abstract medical concepts into practical knowledge that directly impacts quality of life decisions. The connection between brain health and everyday functioning becomes clear when explained through activities rather than clinical terminology. Talk with your healthcare team about how your specific symptoms might affect the daily activities that matter most to you.
Color-Coded Brain Maps Enhance Patient Understanding
Visuals can dramatically simplify complex neurological concepts when paired with clear, focused explanations. Diagrams showing basic brain structures alongside relevant behavior patterns help patients grasp connections without medical jargon. Color-coded brain maps highlighting affected regions create immediate understanding of symptoms patients experience in their daily lives.
Simple before-and-after illustrations can effectively demonstrate treatment goals and expected outcomes in a way words alone cannot achieve. Patients often retain visual information longer than verbal explanations, making important concepts more memorable during stressful medical consultations. Ask your healthcare provider for visual materials that illustrate your specific condition to better understand your symptoms and treatment options.
Build Knowledge Through Sequential Learning Modules
Sequential learning modules break down complex neurological concepts into manageable pieces for patients to absorb gradually. Starting with fundamental concepts and building toward more complex ideas prevents the overwhelm many patients experience during medical consultations. This structured approach allows healthcare providers to check understanding at each stage before introducing new information.
Patients benefit from this method because it respects different learning paces while ensuring comprehensive understanding of their condition. The progressive nature of these modules builds confidence as patients master basic concepts before tackling more complex aspects of their diagnosis. Consider asking your doctor about available step-by-step educational resources that can help you build understanding of your neurological condition over time.
Digital Animations Visualize Invisible Neural Processes
Digital animations bring invisible neural processes to life in ways static images or words simply cannot match. Dynamic visualizations showing nerve impulses, chemical reactions, or treatment mechanisms create immediate understanding without requiring technical vocabulary. Patients gain deeper insights when they can observe cause-effect relationships unfolding through engaging, accurately-scaled visual stories.
These tools particularly benefit visual learners and those who struggle with abstract concepts or medical terminology. The interactive nature of many digital resources allows patients to control pacing and revisit challenging concepts until fully understood. Explore available digital animation resources about your condition and share them with family members to help them better understand your experiences.
Customize Materials for Patient-Specific Needs
Personalized educational materials significantly improve patient understanding of complex neurological relationships. Customized handouts addressing specific patient concerns perform better than generic materials by focusing on relevant symptoms and treatments. Healthcare providers can create truly effective resources by incorporating patient demographics, education level, and specific diagnosis details into clear, readable formats.
These tailored materials become valuable reference tools patients can revisit at home when processing complex medical information. Professional-looking yet approachable documents signal that providers value patient education and participation in treatment decisions. Request customized educational materials from your healthcare provider that address your specific questions about brain function and behavior changes.