the term "shrink"

[psychrat]

I was with a colleague and she referred to herself as a shrink. What do you think of that term? Derogatory? Endearing? I was taken aback so am curious what others think.

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[Fan_of_Meehl]

I was with a colleague and she referred to herself as a shrink. What do you think of that term? Derogatory? Endearing? I was taken aback so am curious what others think.

I only answer to 'Witch Doctor' or, alternatively, on May 5th of every year to 'El Conquistador.'

 

[PsyDr]

99% of the time, I think that people do not know the difference between a psychiatrist, psychologist, nurse practitioner, counselor, social worker,etc so they use an antiquated catch all term.

1% of the time I think they are a classics movie fan who has actually seen farrow and huston films, a phynchon fan, scared of mental healthcare, or too afraid to actually call me a jerk.

 

[Sanman]

I'm fine with the term and long as they are cool with the risk that I am lopping off their head and shrinking it. I keep the machete in my briefcase.

 

[Fan_of_Meehl]

I'm fine with the term and long as they are cool with the risk that I am lopping off their head and shrinking it. I keep the machete in my briefcase.

I love this post.

 

[erg923]

If its in jest at cocktail party, its fine. It not like my wife gets mad at the program "Teachers" when they satire the teaching profession.

However, to hold that as a real value or belief is something else entirely... and probably contributes to stigma and misconceptions about the field and its basis in actual behavioral/psychological science.

 

[cara susanna]

Some of my patients use that word, although it may be in a joking manner. I would never use it, myself.

 

[smalltownpsych]

I only get offended because I think that the term shrink usually refers to psychiatrists and I sure as heck don't want to be mistaken for one of them.

 

[foreverbull]

I only get offended because I think that the term shrink usually refers to psychiatrists and I sure as heck don['t want to be mistaken for one of them.

I rarely hear this term, but when I do, it's generally in reference to psychiatrists as well.

 

[Thelostlilac]

I was with a colleague and she referred to herself as a shrink. What do you think of that term? Derogatory? Endearing? I was taken aback so am curious what others think.

Yeah, maybe it's a situation where you can call yourself a shrink, but maybe don't call someone else one unless you're sure they won't be offended.

 

[CA_PsyD_FL_LMHC]

I rarely hear this term, but when I do, it's generally in reference to psychiatrists as well.

I have generally clarified that shrink is for psychiatrists, and I don't do drugs.