Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for persistent auditory hallucination: Initial worsening of hallucination may not be a predictor of poor outcome

Persistent auditory hallucination (PAH) in schizophrenia is not an uncommon phenomenon. Inhibitory repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation over the left temporo-parietal cortex is found to be effective in the management of PAH in schizophrenia and have a better efficacy than placebo and bilateral stimulation. We highlight here a case of schizophrenia with PAH, where the patient responded well following initial worsening of auditory hallucination. The symptoms were well controlled with maintenance sessions of transcranial magnetic stimulation.