Where did the term "shrink" derive from in reference to a psychiatrist?

Answer 1

There are tribes of people in the world who collect heads. Using a preservation process, they shrink them down to a small size and then they adorn themselves or their living areas with these small-sized skulls. A person who does this is sometimes called a 'witch doctor' and sometimes a 'head-shrinker'.

So you can see how the appellation might be applied to psychologists and their ilk. They're in the business of 'collecting heads', they have their own (to normal people) arcane ways or working, and to top it all of they are doctors as well.

First use of the term 'head-shrinker' to refer to a psychologist is in the 1950's, and from there it got shortened to 'shrink'. Hope that helps!

Answer 2

It is a phrase that came from "head-shrinker" since they deal with problems in your mind.

Answer 3

They were originally called head shrinkers.

Answer 4

digress to problem,reduce the problem or perception, acceptance of which it is, to assist in the elimination of that which is overwhelming,consuming,distracting a person from enjoying life and to be someone who is there for you who understands and is adept and understands the thought processes that create these psych burps of the mind.

Answer 5

"head shrinker"