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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
MRI-guided dmPFC-rTMS as a Treatment for Treatment-resistant Major Depressive Disorder
Published on: August 11, 2015
Bereavement During a Course of TMS for MDD: A Case Report
Gregory M Peterson1, Karen Byrne2, Tae Dillon3
1Peterson, PhD, MBA, School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia.
Objective:
A patient with major depressive disorder (MDD) was receiving transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). A little over halfway through the course the patient was bereaved and experienced normal sadness. Our objective is to describe the tracking and outcome of this common emotionally distressing event.
Method:
Routine assessments conducted at the centre include the six-item Hamiton depression rating (HAMD6) scale, the Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) scale, and the Subjective Depression Scale (SDS6). In addition, the Daily Sadness Scale (DSS) is applied at each treatment day; this is a single question asking how much sadness/depression is being experienced.
Results:
On the 19th treatment day, the patient was bereaved and experienced appropriate sadness. The pathological state (MDD) resolved, as reflected by changes in the psychometric tools. Following the death, normal sadness emerged and lessened over a few weeks.
Conclusion:
This case illustrates that while TMS can effectively treat MDD, it does not prevent the emergence of sadness in uncomplicated bereavement.
