A new study warns that the medical system is failing to support millions of people who have had near-death experiences (NDEs), leaving them isolated and distressed by a sense of a fractured reality.
Near-death experiences are transformative events that occur during severe medical crises and usually include similar phenomena, such as: out-of-body feelings, deep peace, reviewing life moments, encounters with spiritual beings, and feelings as if they are visiting another dimension.
However, many individuals face reintegration problems, feeling strange when they return to everyday life, which suddenly seems insignificant compared to the peace and unconditional love they experienced during the NDE.
This can cause depression, anger, and a deep sense of loss for what felt like "home."
A study conducted by the University of Virginia says that 10 percent of Americans, about 34 million people, have reported near-death experiences, revealing a critical gap in professional support for those returning from the brink of death.
Support and validation are essential
Most NDE experiencers seek help to process their profound visions, but they often encounter skepticism from medical professionals. This lack of validation forces them to turn to online communities for support.
Dr. Marieta Pehlivanova, lead author of the study, said:
“Not every person who experiences an NDE will have difficulty understanding the experience. But the more intense the experiences, the more they have the potential to transform the individual’s life.”
The study involved 167 people with NDEs, mostly recruited through specialist organisations. They completed an online questionnaire about their challenges and needs. The results showed that 64% of them sought support, whether through mental health professionals, spiritual advisors or online communities, and 78% found this support helpful.
Support was most effective for those who received a positive initial reaction when they shared their story. Other factors included basic mental health, a happy childhood, and help from organizations specializing in NDEs.
However, 36% of experiencers did not seek support, either because they felt unable to process the experience on their own, or out of fear of being judged and labeled as “crazy” by professionals or relatives.
Life-transforming experience
For many people, near-death experiences bring profound changes to daily life. Values and priorities may shift, causing individuals to lose interest in their previous careers or relationships.
Brianna Lafferty, 25, after her heart stopped for eight minutes, returned from her experience with the message that "death is an illusion," eradicating her fear of death and transforming her life.
In another case, Peggy Robinson, after a dangerous ectopic pregnancy, experienced an NDE in which she encountered heaven and asked to return to her two young sons. This experience removed her fear of death and left her with a deep sense of gratitude and the conviction that we are never alone.
The researchers' message
Dr. Pehlivanova emphasizes that the critical first step is validating the experience and listening to it without the intention of debunking, diagnosing, or imposing personal beliefs.
Connecting with specialized support networks, such as the International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS), is also essential for emotional healing and integration of the experience. /GazetaExpress/
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