shock therapy

American  

noun

1. (not in technical use) any of various therapies, as insulin shock therapy or electroconvulsive therapy, that induce convulsions or unconsciousness, used for symptomatic relief in certain mental disorders.

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shock therapy British  

noun

1. the treatment of certain psychotic conditions by injecting drugs or by passing an electric current through the brain ( electroconvulsive therapy ) to produce convulsions or coma

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shock therapy Cultural  

1. The treatment of a mentally ill person by passing electric shocks through the brain.

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Etymology

Origin of shock therapy

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Another radical departure from precedent was the participation of Arthur Burns, the chair of the ostensibly independent Federal Reserve, in the crafting of Nixon’s shock therapy program.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

As a result of our investigation, the BBC understands the government will now investigate the historical use of electric shock therapy in the NHS.

From BBC • Dec. 5, 2025

But the “Rite” came across as shock therapy.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 29, 2025

Surviving many more months or years of this shock therapy treatment is likely impossible.

From Salon • May 5, 2025

Perhaps just as important, Stalin and his compatriots found the prospect of “shattering” and “retraining” genes via shock therapy satisfying ideologically.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee