APPLICATION OF THE METHOD OF EMOTIONAL-IMAGERY PROCESSING IN PSYCHOSOMATIC DISORDERS

Abstract

Introduction. The study is dedicated to the peculiarities of emotional-imagery processing (EIP) in working with psychosomatic symptoms. For the first time, theoretical concepts, empirical data, and factual evidence are presented to examine the effectiveness of the emotional-imagery processing method in reducing and/or eliminating psychosomatic symptoms in individuals from two categories: those who explicitly requested help and those who had no specific request but were mastering the EIP method as part of their training. Purpose. The goals of the study are: to find out the essence and feasibility of using the emotional-imagery processing method in clients’ cases with psychosomatic disorders; to analyse the empirical materials on the effectiveness of the method in comparative conditions. Material and methods. Methods of theoretical analysis of scientific and methodological sources, empirical methods including diagnostics and experimentation, as well as statistical and mathematical data processing are given in the study. The article also includes a brief analysis of six client cases concerning psychosomatic symptoms as well as detailed structural description of two professional case studies. The experiment involved a group of individuals engaged in non-formal education who were learning the EIP method and had not expressed any specific therapeutic request regarding psychosomatic. All the participants, were assessed before and after the experiment with the following diagnostic methods: «Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales», «Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15)», «Self-Report Scale of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms», a modified version of the questionnaire «Personal Wellbeing Index – Adult (PWI-A)». Results. The review of theoretical and scientific sources revealed that the method of emotional-imagery processing is based on various classical modalities, yet it possesses own specific features. The study demonstrated that in the experimental group, the overall number of neurotic and related somatic symptoms decreased after the intervention. This reduction was significant, i.e., statistically meaningful, for the following somatic symptoms: abdominal pain, back pain, pain in arms, legs, or joints, menstrual pain (discomfort), nausea, bloating or gastrointestinal disturbances, and sleep problems. Interventional reports of two professionals, who practice the EIP method, demonstrated that, among six psychosomatic client cases addressed in 2024, three female clients overcame food addiction – two of whom specifically eliminated cravings for sweets. All these three ones showed a reduction in excess body weight, and one of them demonstrated normalized insulin resistance in the context of type 2 diabetes. A fourth client experienced the complete cessation of chronic coughing; a fifth one no longer exhibited allergic reactions to an unidentified allergen; and a sixth client reported no recurrence of papillomas after removal – whereas previously, the symptoms had returned even after laser treatment. In all these cases, the therapeutic effect was achieved after few sessions. Conclusions. The use of the emotional-imagery processing method and the research findings indicate its effectiveness and benefit in the everyday practice of psychologists and psychotherapists who work with clients' psychosomatic complaints. The approach of teaching the method within the framework of non-formal education has proven its effectiveness in reducing and eliminating psychosomatic disorders.