Electroshock
(noun)
A medical treatment involving the application of electric currents to the brain to induce convulsions and relieve symptoms of mental illness.
Origin:
Mid 20th century: from electric + shock.
Examples:
- Electroshock therapy was once a widely used and controversial treatment for conditions such as depression and schizophrenia.
- The patient underwent electroshock treatment in an effort to alleviate the symptoms of their severe mental illness.
- Electroshock therapy was often administered in hospitals or psychiatric clinics, with the patient being put under general anesthesia.
- The effectiveness of electroshock therapy was the subject of much debate and scrutiny, with some medical professionals advocating for its continued use and others opposing it.
- The use of electroshock therapy declined in recent decades as new and more advanced treatments for mental illness became available.