Treatment of a Patient With Depersonalization Disorder With Low Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation of the Right Temporo-Parietal Junction

TITLE
Treatment of a Patient With Depersonalization Disorder With Low Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation of the Right Temporo-Parietal Junction

AUTHOR
Rachid F.

SOURCE
Journal of Psychiatric Practice. 23(2):145-147, 2017 Mar.

ABSTRACT
Depersonalization disorder (DPD) is a debilitating dissociative condition with no proven treatments. Although the pathophysiology of DPD is poorly understood, there are reports of increased excitability of the prefrontal cortex in patients with this condition. The temporo-parietal junction may also play a major role in the conscious experience of the spatial unity of the normal self and body. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation has been shown in some case studies to effectively treat this condition. This report describes an additional such case, a 26-year-old man with a 6-month history of DPD who responded safely and significantly to repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation to the right temporo-parietal junction.