electroconvulsive therapy

noun

: electroshock therapy

Examples of electroconvulsive therapy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Notably, most things known to have antidepressant effects increase brain plasticity—such as exercise, electroconvulsive therapy, selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors prescribed as antidepressants, and psychedelic drugs. — Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Antidepressant medications like zuranolone and SSRIs are first-line options for PPD, while Bergink says lithium, antipsychotics and electroconvulsive therapy are effective for PPP. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Aug. 2026

After a recent dark period, the singer turned to electroconvulsive therapy to treat her mental health. — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Aug. 2026

It can be treated with antipsychotics and electroconvulsive therapy, which runs an electric current through the brain. — Louisa Moller, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for electroconvulsive therapy

• brachytherapy
• chemotherapy
• cryotherapy
• hydrotherapy
• hypnotherapy
• monotherapy
• phototherapy
• psychotherapy
• sclerotherapy
• immunotherapy
• pharmacotherapy
• physiotherapy

Medical Definition

electroconvulsive 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

—abbreviation ECT

called also electric shock, electric shock therapy, electroshock therapy