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Electroshock: meaning, definitions and examples

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electroshock

 

[ ɪˌlɛk.trəˈʃɑk ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

medical treatment

Electroshock refers to a medical treatment that involves the application of electrical currents to the brain through electrodes placed on the scalp. It is often used in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for severe mental health disorders, particularly when other treatments have failed. The procedure is aimed at inducing controlled seizures to alleviate symptoms of mental illness.

Synonyms

ECT, electroconvulsive therapy

Examples of usage

  • The doctor recommended electroshock therapy for her severe depression.
  • Electroshock is sometimes misunderstood due to its portrayal in movies.
  • Patients undergoing electroshock must be closely monitored.

Translations

Translations of the word "electroshock" in other languages:

🇵🇹 eletrochoque

🇮🇳 इलेक्ट्रोशॉक

🇩🇪 Elektroschock

🇮🇩 kejut listrik

🇺🇦 електрошок

🇵🇱 elektrowstrząs

🇯🇵 電気ショック

🇫🇷 électrochoc

🇪🇸 electroshock

🇹🇷 elektroşok

🇰🇷 전기충격

🇸🇦 صدمة كهربائية

🇨🇿 elektrošok

🇸🇰 elektrošok

🇨🇳 电击

🇸🇮 elektrošok

🇮🇸 rafmagnsáfall

🇰🇿 электрошок

🇬🇪 ელექტროშოკი

🇦🇿 elektroşok

🇲🇽 electroshock

Etymology

The term 'electroshock' is derived from the combination of 'electro-', a prefix originating from the Greek word 'ēlektron', meaning 'amber' or 'electricity', and 'shock', which refers to a sudden disturbance or impact. The medical use of electroshock therapy dates back to the early 20th century, with its first application recorded in 1938 by Italian psychiatrists Ugo Cerletti and Lucio Bini. They discovered that inducing seizures through electrical stimulation could be an effective treatment for various psychiatric disorders. Over the decades, the practice has evolved significantly, moving away from the more crude and often painful versions to the controlled and monitored procedures used in modern medicine. Despite facing much stigma and controversy, electroshock therapy has remained a crucial option for many patients suffering from severe mental health issues, highlighting its complex history within psychiatric treatment.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #33,344 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.