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

Recent Examples on the Web Montgomery described one specific example of electroshock therapy, which paired the procedure with psychological conditioning. Jp Mangalindan, Peoplemag, 20 Sep. 2023 Arthur, regarded as the patriarch of the Sacklers, became interested in pharmaceutical alternatives to midcentury psychoanalysis and electroshock therapy. Paul Schrodt, Men's Health, 10 Aug. 2023 The organisation also donates to the Judge Rotenberg Center who performs electroshock therapy on autistic children (yes, that is somehow legal). Imani Barbarin, refinery29.com, 30 Aug. 2021 Eighteen days later, Eagleton withdrew his candidacy, following revelations he had been hospitalized for depression and treated with electroshock therapy. Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2023 The electroshock therapy doesn’t go as planned. Eliana Dockterman, Time, 23 Sep. 2022 Everything around the case has been fictionalized, including the real name of Ettore and the dynamic of the family behind his brutalization — though not the horrific electroshock therapy he’s forced to undergo. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Sep. 2022 Eagleton, a Missouri Democrat and a vice-presidential nominee in 1972, had been hospitalized three times for depression and undergone electroshock therapy, a revelation that derailed his chance to serve in the White House. Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 17 Feb. 2023 Read full article Eagleton, a Missouri Democrat and a vice-presidential nominee in 1972, had been hospitalized three times for depression and undergone electroshock therapy, a revelation that derailed his chance to serve in the White House. Jonathan Edwards and Praveena Somasundaram, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'electroshock therapy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

electroshock therapy

noun

More from Merriam-Webster on electroshock therapy

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