shock therapy

noun

: the treatment of mental illness by the artificial induction of coma or convulsions through use of drugs or electric current

called also shock treatment

Examples of shock therapy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Arnett also admitted that his co-host woke up an hour later to use the bathroom and had to drive himself back to the hospital for a second time for another round of shock therapy to get his heart back to a regular rhythm. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024

Molotov tries shock therapy At execution, a good rock-metal group can puncture the escapist flow of festival life. —Vicky Camarillo, Austin American-Statesman, 3 Mar. 2024

Realistically, unless the world is ready to endure the shock therapy of rationing energy supplies, which would curtail economic activity radically, there are no viable short-to-medium term alternatives to Western fossil fuel products other than fossil fuel products produced elsewhere. —Dan Ikenson, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

The ill effects of austerity measures Some countries in recent economic history which underwent shock therapy suffered for years. —Ron Insana, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

shock therapy

noun

: the treatment of mental illness by the artificial induction of coma or convulsions through use of drugs or electric current

called also convulsive therapy

see electroconvulsive therapy