Yesterday I had an appointment with my nephrologist (kidney doctor) of six years, and he had two medical interns with him. Not the first time. I also recall interns observing a psychiatrist session, years ago. My psychiatrist asked if it was OK. I forget if the nephrologist did. In any case, I don't mind at all. Would you?

The nephrologist focused on the fact that I was there because of Lithium kidney damage. He also made points about blood test results of people in my situation and asked questions and gave them information about other aspects of bipolar disorder treatment, med side effects, etc. Fine. But at one point he asked me "Who is your shrink?"

That wasn't the first time the word "shrink" was used in front of me. Years back, a psychologist (my then therapist) used the word. I told both that I don't like the word and prefer they use the word psychiatrist or therapist/psychologist. The nephrologist was asking about my psychiatrist in this case. After telling him that I disliked the term "shrink", I told him my psychiatrist's name.

I didn't continue a conversation about the word yesterday, but did with that past psychologist. The psychologist defended the usage, but if you google it, it is often used in a derogatory way. I see it that way. I'm sure the nephrologist didn't like me challenging it in front of the interns, but I didn't want them to think it acceptable.

What do you think of "shrink" for therapist and/or psychiatrist? Have you heard people use it? How did you feel? Has a health professional used other mental health-related terms that rubbed you the wrong way?

[Sometimes psychotic]

I would not call a pdoc a shrink to their face....let me put it that way but my first pdoc who was rather short I would in my own head refer to him as the shrinky dink.

[Thunder Bow]

Most heath professionals know of the term "Shrink".

[TishaBuv]

Here’s a definition. It’s an old slang term:

"Shrink", taken from "head shrinker", is a slang term for a psychiatrist or psychotherapist, sometimes treated as derogatory or offensive. To cause to shrink.

Maybe it implies our egos are big and the therapist shrinks our inflated images of ourselves. I hate that.

I told my therapist about this, and she totally agreed with me that the term "shrink" is offensive to both psychiatrists and therapist AND patients. If other people like it, so be it.

[bpcyclist]

Well, I must admit that I have used it from time to time when referring to members of my team. I don't really think of it as a pejorative, but what matters is if others do. And clearly, many do.

Unfortunately, there is a whole lexicon of this sort of stuff from the hospital. Almost all of it is unacceptable and disrespectful. But people still use these terms, even today.

[*Beth*]

I've heard psychologists use the term in jest. To me, it doesn't mean much...it's just an outdated term

[Anonymous42019]

Most UK health professionals would show the patient the door if referred to as a "shrink".