The journal Psychology Consciousness has published a study conducted by the Division of Perceptual Studies at the University of Virginia, United States, led by Marieta Pehlivanova, in which 167 people who experienced a near-death experience (NDE) were analyzed. It is the first time that the type of support sought by those affected, as well as its usefulness, has been measured quantitatively. The results showed that it is not so much the type of therapy chosen that matters, but rather the validation received from the environment. A clear difference is seen between those who were mocked or received a negative response to their story, compared to those who received support from specialized communities such as the International Association for Near-Death Studies.
The American Psychiatric Association has recognized the existence of these cases since 1994 and is aware that they may require attention without being considered cases of mental illness. In light of this situation, one of the study’s leaders, Bruce Greyson, suggests that this topic be addressed in hospital psychological care consultations, in order to provide therapeutic support and to be able to treat psychological trauma. According to the study’s results, what determines a good post-NDE integration and reintegration is the reaction of the first person to whom the experience is recounted. Activities such as meditation, therapeutic support, or time in nature were recognized as helpful.
Near-death experiences (NDE)
The journal Psychology of Consciousness has published the first study aimed at quantifying what help is provided and how useful it is for people who have experienced a near-death experience (NDE). When someone survives a near-death experience (NDE), they often tell more than a medical story: many describe sensations of absolute peace, unconditional love, or a clarity that “feels more real than life itself”.
In this context, a team of researchers from the Division of Perceptual Studies at the University of Virginia, led by Marieta Pehlivanova, analyzed 167 patients. The results revealed that 64% of the participants sought some type of support, and 78% stated that it helped them. However, the notable aspect of this study is that the type of therapy chosen is not strongly related to the success of the treatment.What really made the difference was the emotional validation from the patient’s environment.
Study results
Near-Death ExperiencesAccording to the data, it is estimated that around 15% of patients who go through intensive care report experiences of this type. It is common for these people to feel that they now have renewed life purposes and see life from a different perspective, but there are others who are initially unable to manage all those new emotions. It is striking that more than 20% of the study’s patients report a deterioration in the quality of their interpersonal relationships, which has been defined as ‘reentry problems’: a kind of cultural shock between everyday reality and what many describe as “having touched something greater”.
This experience can lead them to feel emptiness and difficulty finding meaning in basic aspects of their life, such as work, routines, or even personal goals. Fear of judgment is also one of the factors that contribute to the patient’s isolation and recovery.
The first reaction is decisive
According to the study, a good recovery has nothing to do with medical aspects. It is about something more simple and human, like validation. The results indicate that the first reaction received after sharing this experience can be decisive: those who were met with understanding and attentiveness the first time had a higher likelihood of finding useful support, while those who received negative responses or ridicule were more prone to distress and isolation. One of the sources of support for patients was the International Association for Near-Death Studies.
Medical care
The American Psychiatric Association already recognized in 1964 that “religious or spiritual experiences” are phenomena that may require attention without being mental illnesses. However, medical training does not include the treatment of this type of situation, so professionals find themselves unable to treat patients without pathologizing what has occurred. The research proposes a necessary reconfiguration of the boundary between physical health and mental health, integrating the clinical with what is often perceived as spiritual.
Although the field of study remains open, the crucial message is unavoidable: the attitude of not judging when accompanying the patient defines the course of the experience. It is the tangible difference between an experience that offers positive transformation and one that, on the contrary, generates lasting emotional scars.