electroshock therapy

British  

/ ɪˈlɛktrəʊˌʃɒk /

noun

1. another name for electroconvulsive therapy

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electroshock therapy Cultural  

1. The passing of an electric current (see also current) through the brain to induce a brief seizure. This therapy is still used to treat major depression when other methods, such as drugs, are ineffective or not well tolerated by the recipient.

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Although this treatment has been controversial, the careful use of anesthetics and muscle relaxers in combination with a more controlled use of a lower electric current has reduced the problems that were associated with it in the past.

Example Sentences

That procedure seems pretty much to be electroshock therapy, utilizing this newfangled thing called electricity.

From Salon

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.

From Washington Post

With electroshock therapy, the anesthetized patient receives a direct electrical current, which causes a seizure.

From Salon

In 1972, Thomas Eagleton was forced to drop off the Democratic presidential ticket as George McGovern’s running mate after disclosures that he had been hospitalized for depression and treated with electroshock therapy.

From New York Times

His doctor diagnosed bipolar II disorder, and Dr. Rosenberg underwent electroshock therapy and took lithium.

From New York Times