Definition

A type of surgery on the brain that is used to treat serious mental or behavioral problems that do not respond to other treatments.

Example

Psychosurgery was once a common treatment for severe mental illnesses, but it is now used much less frequently.

Conversation

Have you heard about the latest advancements in psychosurgery?

Yeah, I read an article about how it helps with severe mental disorders.

It's fascinating how they can use brain surgery to treat those issues.

Definitely! It's a complex field, but it shows promise for many patients.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Psychosurgery is formed from "psycho-" (from Greek "psukhē", meaning soul or mind) and "surgery" (from Greek "cheirourgia", meaning hand work or manual operation). The term refers to surgical procedures that are intended to treat mental disorders by directly affecting the brain.

Memory Tip

Think of 'psycho-' relating to the mind and 'surgery' as a manual operation — this helps you remember that psychosurgery involves surgical treatment for mental health issues.

Visually Confused Words