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

Leigh was hospitalized for three months in England, where she was treated with electroshock therapy. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026

Now my guy is stuck in an insane asylum with a doctor who seems downright giddy to try out some electroshock therapy. — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2026

In 1972, vice-presidential candidate Thomas Eagleton withdrew from the Democratic ticket with George McGovern following disclosures that Eagleton had received electroshock therapy to treat clinical depression. — ABC News, 20 July 2026

Paglen traces magickal attempts to mold reality back to midcentury covert operations such as the CIA’s infamous MKUltra program—the one exploring mind control through electroshock therapy, hypnosis, and LSD. — Louis Bury, ARTnews.com, 1 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for electroshock therapy

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

Medical Definition

electroshock therapy

noun

: electroconvulsive therapy