Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing of maleficium: Case study of a “cursed” woman suffering from unexplained pain

This study describes the application of EMDR therapy to a patient experiencing the distressing memory of being cursed. The patient was in treatment due to somatic symptom disorder.

Article Abstract

“The present case study describes the application of the eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) approach to a patient experiencing the distressing memory of an act of apparent ‘maleficium.’ The patient was in treatment due to somatic symptom disorder. Transcripts from the EMDR desensitization session were used to qualitatively describe both the dysfunctional stored memories associated with the apparent sorcery and the healing associations contributing to the zeroing of the alleged subjective unit of disturbance. Changes in psychometric measures of symptoms showed that the patient experienced a relevant and unexpected reduction of different clinical outcomes, with a specific notable effect on the subjective evaluation of pain. An explanation based on adaptive information processing is offered to explain this last unexpected finding.”

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Scimeca, G. (2024). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing of maleficium: Case study of a “cursed” woman suffering from unexplained pain. Clinical Case Studies, Online. https://doi.org/10.1177/15346501241275202