electroshock therapy

noun

: the treatment of mental illness and especially depression by the application of electric current to the head of a usually anesthetized patient that induces unconsciousness and convulsive seizures in the brain

called also electroconvulsive therapy

Examples of electroshock therapy in a Sentence

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Thus begins a traumatic spiral in Arkham State Hospital, where Sofia is subjected to electroshock therapy and harsh living conditions. Nick Romano, EW.com, 14 Oct. 2024 Sadly, electroshock therapy is still legal in states like Massachusetts. Maya Richard-Craven, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024 Using a trove of letters, photos, VHS tapes, Super 8 movies, and even answering machine messages, Caouette sifts through past trauma to better understand his mother, Renee, who has long struggled with mental illness in the wake of electroshock therapy. Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2024 In 1972, Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Thomas Eagleton of Missouri, George McGovern's running mate, dropped out of the race after media reports revealed he had been hospitalized and undergone electroshock therapy for depression. Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 1 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for electroshock therapy 

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of electroshock therapy was in 1942

Dictionary Entries Near electroshock therapy

Cite this Entry

“Electroshock therapy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electroshock%20therapy. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

electroshock therapy

noun

More from Merriam-Webster on electroshock therapy

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