electroconvulsive therapy

American  

[ih-lek-troh-kuhn-vuhl-siv, ih-lek-] / ɪˈlɛk troʊ kənˈvʌl sɪv, ɪˌlɛk- /

noun

Psychiatry.

1. a treatment for serious mental illnesses, as severe depressive disorders, involving the application to the head of electric current in order to induce a seizure: usually administered after sedatives and muscle relaxants. ECT

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electroconvulsive therapy British  

/ ɪˌlɛktrəʊkənˈvʌlsɪv /

noun

1. Also called: electroshock therapy.   ECT.  med the treatment of certain psychotic conditions by passing an electric current through the brain to induce coma or convulsions See also shock therapy

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electroconvulsive therapy Scientific  

/ ĭ-lĕk′trō-kən-vŭl′sĭv /

1. Administration of electric current to the brain through electrodes placed on the head, usually near the temples, in order to induce unconsciousness and brief seizures. It is used in the treatment of certain psychiatric disorders, especially severe depression.

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Etymology

Origin of electroconvulsive therapy

First recorded in 1945–50; electro- + convulsive

Example Sentences

Van Rootselaar posted that she hoped to find the right amount that would allow her to “experience something positive in my life,” adding that electroconvulsive therapy and prescribed medications hadn’t resolved her mental illness.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 14, 2026

She has previously spoken about having depression and has described it as the "curse of the strong" after revealing she underwent electroconvulsive therapy to treat her own symptoms.

From BBC • Jan. 14, 2026

It seemed to work: Antidepressants and electroconvulsive therapy often made the animal try harder.

From Science Magazine • Mar. 19, 2024

She said she’d exhausted all options, including electroconvulsive therapy, when a doctor told her about DBS three years ago.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 20, 2024

Known today as electroconvulsive therapy, this involved sending electrical current through the brain and inducing seizures.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield