electroconvulsive therapy
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. Abbreviation: ECT
Origin of electroconvulsive therapy
1- Also called electroshock.
- Compare shock therapy.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use electroconvulsive therapy in a sentence
One option for unresolved depression is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
Robin Williams’ Deadly Depression | Dr. Anand Veeravagu, MD, Tej Azad | August 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
British Dictionary definitions for electroconvulsive therapy
/ (ɪˌlɛktrəʊkənˈvʌlsɪv) /
med the treatment of certain psychotic conditions by passing an electric current through the brain to induce coma or convulsions: Abbreviation: ECT Also called: electroshock therapy See also shock therapy
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for electroconvulsive therapy
[ ĭ-lĕk′trō-kən-vŭl′sĭv ]
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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