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electroconvulsive therapy

electroconvulsive therapy

1 6.5
A medical treatment using brief electric shocks to the brain to reduce severe depression symptoms
  • noun
  • /ɪˌlɛktrəʊkənˈvʌlsɪv ˈθɛrəpi/
  • Specialized
translation icon : terapia electroconvulsiva
  • Many patients suffering from severe depression find relief through electroconvulsive therapy when other treatments fail.
  • electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

There is something called electroconvulsive therapy treatment and many of you as very inhumane and I would tend to agree with all due respect.

Examples

  • When the bomb doesn't blow, she believes she was wrong about everything and signs up for electroconvulsive therapy in hopes that shock treatment will stop her mania from recurring.

    Blog text (19)
  • Examples of issues that could be examined in a mock trial are the repressed memory syndrome, biological determinism, and whether electroconvulsive therapy is safe.

    Academic text (1996)
  • Honey, do you know anything about electroconvulsive therapy?

  • In the current issue of Discover, I examine electroconvulsive therapy.

    Blog text (14)
  • And then, if necessary... ...I would've treated her with electroconvulsive therapy.

  • There is something called electroconvulsive therapy treatment and many of you as very inhumane and I would tend to agree with all due respect.

  • Finally, in "Anterograde: Retrograde," where we presume she is being given electroconvulsive therapy, he strikes: #

    Academic text (2014)
  • He had a mild, relatively brief depression; he did not have to rely on anti-depressant medication, much less rely on a radical remedy such as electroconvulsive therapy; his hospital stay was at a place that is as comfortable as they come; and, crucially, he was never alone.

    Academic text (1997)
  • The psychiatrist explained that electroconvulsive therapy is a safe option for treating certain mental illnesses.

  • After discussing various treatment options, she decided to proceed with electroconvulsive therapy for her debilitating depression.

Synonyms

electroshock
vselectroconvulsive therapy
  • Specialized
16 7.5

A medical treatment that uses a strong electric current through the brain to cause seizures to treat serious mental illness

highlights inducing seizures to treat psychiatric symptoms rather than method detail
shock therapy
vselectroconvulsive therapy
  • Specialized
8 5.1

A treatment that uses electric shocks to treat severe mental illness

is specific to electrical induction of seizures for psychiatric symptom relief
ECT
vselectroconvulsive therapy
  • Specialized
7 7.0

A medical treatment that sends a strong electric shock to the brain to treat severe depression

emphasizes causing seizures to reduce psychiatric symptoms
electroshock therapy
vselectroconvulsive therapy
  • Specialized
6 5.1

A medical treatment that uses a strong electric current through the brain to treat serious mental illness

focuses on inducing seizures to relieve psychiatric symptoms
shock treatment
vselectroconvulsive therapy
  • Specialized
4 5.8

A medical procedure that uses electric shocks to the brain to help severe mental illness

frames the same practice as a medical seizure induction for symptom relief
electro
vselectroconvulsive therapy
  • Informal
1 8.9

A medical treatment that sends small electric pulses to the brain for severe depression or other serious mental illness

is the formal medical description stressing induced seizures for symptom relief

How Invasive

brain surgery
  • Specialized
24 4.1
lobotomy
  • Archaic
26 9.9
electroconvulsive therapy
  • Specialized
1 6.5
medication
28 3.3
psychotherapy
  • Specialized
24 5.8

Surface Forms

Morphology

electroconvulsive + therapy

The compound is compositionally built: 'electroconvulsive' denotes causing convulsions via electricity and 'therapy' means treatment, so a learner who knows those constituents can infer it is a medical treatment using electrical-induced convulsions. Although clinical, the morphological parts map directly onto the overall meaning and the construction is a transparent medical compound found across languages.

Etymology

The medical term electroconvulsive therapy gives a clear picture: electro means 'electric', convulsive means 'causing convulsions' or strong body shakes, and therapy means 'treatment'. So, it refers to a medical 'treatment' where doctors use small electric shocks to cause a short, controlled seizure to help people with severe mental illness.