Why are mental health professionals called shrinks?

Why are mental health professionals called shrinks? “Shrink” is another term used to refer to mental health professionals, including therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists. The word “shrink” comes from “head shrinkage,” which refers to the ancient practice of shrinking the head of a conquered enemy .

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That explanation doesn’t make sense to me but I’ve never been into etymology.

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it is from google

I read a shrink is supposed to shrink your problem to make you understand it better

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How many ways are there to solve a problem ?

Threads that are just definitions of words or copy/paste from google are annoying.

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This article goes more indept.

Shrinks shrink our problems

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  1. Incorrect ways.
  2. Correct ways.
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Yes I need to be open with psychiatrists and trust them more

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Add trial and error to the mix

Covered by second point.

:crazy_face:

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I find that interesting. I love learning the origins of words. Some of the sources are pretty wild!

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They’re called shrinks because they prescribe Invega.

–ba-dum-tss–

:crazy_face:

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I always call them shrinks. It just is easier than saying psychologist waaaay less syllables. Most shrinks don’t like being called a shrink though lmao

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I always thought they were called shrinks because bad psychology is like having a big head or ego and they shrink your head to normal size.

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well it causes great debate miss @Charles_Foster

To make us feel small. MIs often get an exaggerated idea of ourselves.

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Top 30 Beetlejuice Head GIFs | Find the best GIF on Gfycat

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Well, yeah. A lot of people think it was Invega that shrank their peens.

Shrinks prescribe it so they caused the, er, shrinkage. (In theory.)

It’s actually caused by excess fapping - erosion through friction.

:wink:

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Yes, and that in turn shrinks one’s wallet. :smiley:

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If you have ever been to the pitt rivers museum in London you might have seen these on display. I was curious as a child to see them. They may have been cursed.