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electroconvulsive
adjective
elec·tro·con·vul·sive
i-ˌlek-trō-kən-ˈvəl-siv
: of, relating to, or involving convulsive response to electroshock
electroconvulsive shocks
Examples of electroconvulsive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Her doctors attempted a range of treatments, including drugs, electroconvulsive shocks, seclusion and cold therapy (where she was wrapped in freezing blankets and strapped onto a bed)—most of which, according to Linehan, probably hurt more than helped.
—Diana Kwon, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2022
When doctors suggested electroconvulsive treatment, Antrim recoiled, viewing this as the end of the line.
—Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2021
The documents can't be used to authorize inpatient treatment, experimental mental health research, psycho-surgery or electroconvulsive treatment.
—Meg Kissinger, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11 Aug. 2021
Beginning in 1938, electroconvulsive therapy was thought to be the only effective modern treatment for depression, but the procedure sometimes caused memory loss, among other side effects.
—Mandy Oaklander, Time, 27 July 2017
Despite more-accepting public attitudes toward mental-health care, inpatient psychiatric units continue to evoke frightening images of patients strapped to beds, electroconvulsive therapy and rooms with padded walls.
—Nathaniel Morris, Washington Post, 23 July 2017
Fearing that his illness was intractable — despite medication, a hospital stay and electroconvulsive therapy — Mr. Freeman traveled to Peru for shamanic healing.
—Ben Kenigsberg, New York Times, 11 May 2017
Some professionals attest that electroconvulsive treatments work better than medication, but scientists have done little research in this area.
—Dr. Manny Alvarez, Fox News, 2 June 2017
Prescribing medication has been deemed ineffective, and electroconvulsive therapy is considered unethical.
—Rachel Aviv, The New Yorker, 23 Mar. 2017
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Word History
First Known Use
1943, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of electroconvulsive was
in 1943
Phrases Containing electroconvulsive
Dictionary Entries Near electroconvulsive
Cite this Entry
“Electroconvulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electroconvulsive. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
Medical Definition
electroconvulsive
adjective
elec·tro·con·vul·sive
i-ˌlek-trō-kən-ˈvəl-siv
: of, relating to, producing, or involving a convulsive response to a shock of electricity
electroconvulsive shocks
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