Dictionary of Cancer Terms
View in Spanish: Terapia electroconvulsiva
Electroconvulsive therapy (ee-LEK-troh-kun-VUL-siv THAYR-uh-pee)
A treatment for severe depression and certain mental disorders. A brief seizure is induced by giving electrical stimulation to the brain through electrodes placed on the scalp. Also called ECT and electroshock therapy.
Source: National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms, available at www.cancer.gov/dictionary.