The Shrink Network · 6 min read
Shrinktionary: Mental Health Terms in Plain English
Mental health has a vocabulary problem. The words that describe what you're going through are often clinical, intimidating, or easy to misuse, and that alone keeps people confused and anxious. Shrinktionary is the Shrink Network's fix: a plain-English dictionary of the terms, so the language stops being a barrier. Here's what it does and how it fits.
Written under the clinical direction of Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, FAPA, board certified psychiatrist · Last updated October 21, 2026 · Editorial policy
From my practice · Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, FAPA
How much fear lives in the vocabulary
I've watched a patient's whole demeanor change once I defined a word they had been carrying around in fear. Someone hears comorbidity or dissociation, assumes the worst, and spends weeks more frightened than the reality warrants. Often the single most calming thing I do in a first visit is translate the jargon into plain English. The word was scarier than the thing.
That's why I think a plain-language dictionary is real clinical work, not a footnote. When the vocabulary stops being a wall, people engage with their own care. They ask better questions and they avoid less. Clear words aren't a style preference to me; they're one of the simplest ways to lower the barrier to getting help.
What Shrinktionary is
Shrinktionary is a dictionary of mental health, written in plain English. It defines the words people run into, on a diagnosis, in an article, in a clinician's notes, or from a friend, and gives each one a clear, accurate meaning without the jargon that usually surrounds it.
It's the smallest unit of understanding in the network. Before you can read about a condition or make a decision about treatment, the words have to make sense. Shrinktionary makes sure they do.
Why a mental health dictionary matters
A surprising amount of confusion and fear comes down to vocabulary. People hear a term like dysthymia, dissociation, or comorbidity and either misunderstand it or quietly panic. The words sound more alarming than the realities they describe, and that gap keeps people from engaging with their own care.
A clear definition defuses that. Knowing what a word actually means, in plain language, turns an intimidating term into a manageable piece of information. That's a small thing that removes a surprisingly large barrier.
What it covers
Shrinktionary defines the full range of mental health vocabulary: diagnoses and conditions, symptoms, treatment and medication terms, and the clinical jargon that shows up in notes and articles. Each entry aims to be accurate and genuinely readable, not a textbook definition that needs its own translation.
Where a word deserves more than a definition, it points you onward, to Shrinkopedia for the full explanation, or to the relevant resource site. The dictionary gives you the meaning; the encyclopedia gives you the depth.
How it connects to the network
Shrinktionary is the vocabulary layer that the rest of the network leans on. Articles across the network link to it when a term needs defining, so readers never have to leave to look something up elsewhere. It points to Shrinkopedia for fuller context and to the condition libraries when relevant.
And when a definition turns into a real question, such as do I have this, or should I be treated for it, it points to shrinkMD. You can also browse our own glossary of terms for the shrinkMD-specific vocabulary.
How to use it
Use it the moment a word trips you up. Rather than guessing or letting an unfamiliar term add to your anxiety, look it up and keep reading with the meaning in hand. It's designed for quick answers, not long sessions, so it fits naturally into whatever else you're reading.
It's also a good companion to a clinical visit. If you leave an appointment with words you didn't fully follow, Shrinktionary lets you decode them afterward, which often makes the whole visit make more sense in hindsight.
Why plain language is a clinical choice
Keeping definitions plain isn't just style; it's part of good care. Jargon excludes people from understanding their own health, and exclusion leads to avoidance. A network led by Dr. Shariq Refai treats clear language as a way to lower the barrier to getting help.
When the words make sense, people engage. They ask better questions, they feel less intimidated, and they're more likely to seek care. A dictionary is a humble tool, but in mental health, plain language does real work.
Key takeaways
Five things to remember
- Shrinktionary is the Shrink Network's plain-English dictionary of mental health terms, built so vocabulary stops being a barrier to understanding.
- A lot of fear and confusion comes down to words that sound more alarming than the realities they describe; a clear definition defuses that.
- It covers diagnoses, symptoms, treatment and medication terms, and clinical jargon, each defined to be accurate and genuinely readable.
- It's the vocabulary layer the rest of the network links to, and it points onward to Shrinkopedia for depth and shrinkMD when a term becomes a real question.
- Plain language is a clinical choice: when words make sense, people engage with their care instead of avoiding it.
Keep exploring
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Frequently asked questions
Good questions, clear answers
What's Shrinktionary?
Shrinktionary is the Shrink Network's dictionary of mental health terms, written in plain English. It defines the vocabulary people run into, from diagnoses to treatment words to clinical jargon, so the language stops getting in the way of understanding. It's the smallest, most foundational learning tool in the network, and the other sites link to it whenever a term needs defining.
How's it different from Shrinkopedia?
Shrinktionary gives you the meaning of a word; Shrinkopedia gives you the full explanation of the thing the word describes. The dictionary is for quick definitions, the encyclopedia for depth. Shrinktionary points to Shrinkopedia when a term deserves more than a definition, and they're designed to work together.
Is it free?
Yes. Shrinktionary is a free educational resource on the learning side of the Shrink Network. Understanding the words used to describe your own health should never cost anything. The paid part of the network is shrinkMD, the clinical care arm.
Why does plain language matter so much?
Because jargon keeps people from understanding their own mental health, and that confusion often turns into avoidance. A term can sound far more frightening than the reality it describes. Defining words clearly removes a small but real barrier and makes people more willing to engage with their care and ask better questions.
Can I use it to understand my diagnosis?
Yes. If you were given a diagnosis or read one in your notes and the term is unfamiliar, Shrinktionary defines it plainly. For the fuller picture of what the condition involves, it points you to Shrinkopedia or the relevant resource site, and for whether and how it should be treated, to shrinkMD.
Does it replace talking to a clinician?
No. A dictionary defines words; it doesn't diagnose or treat. Shrinktionary is meant to help you understand the language so your conversations with a clinician go further. When a definition turns into a real question about your own care, it points you to shrinkMD.
When will Shrinktionary be available?
Shrinktionary is part of the Shrink Network and is being rolled out as one of its learning resources. As with the rest of the network, it's overseen by a board certified psychiatrist so that even short definitions are held to a clinical standard.
Who stands behind the definitions?
Shrinktionary is part of the Shrink Network, led by Dr. Shariq Refai, a board certified psychiatrist with more than fifteen years of experience. Even a simple definition benefits from clinical oversight, because a subtly wrong meaning can mislead, and consistent accuracy is the whole value of a curated dictionary.
Sources
Sources and further reading
About the author
Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, FAPA
I'm a board certified psychiatrist and the founder of shrinkMD, a telepsychiatry platform built around access, continuity, and clinical rigor. My work focuses on helping people understand their mental health clearly and thoughtfully, without rushing to conclusions or shortcuts. I have clinical experience across a range of settings, including work with high-performing individuals and professional athletes, and I remain committed to care that's careful, individualized, and grounded in sound clinical judgment. shrinkMD provides psychiatric care across multiple licensed states in the US, with an emphasis on responsible telepsychiatry and long-term continuity.
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