Most people who experienced a near-death episode sought assistance to process the event, and those who received validating responses rated that support as more helpful, according to a quantitative analysis of 167 adults.
Overall, 64% of participants reported seeking help following their near-death experience. Sources included mental-health professionals (37%), spiritual counselors (16%), religious advisors (12%), and online or organizational resources (12%). Among those who sought assistance, 78% described the help as somewhat or very helpful.
Participants with more intense experiences were more likely to seek assistance. Prior counseling, a history of substance use, and medical complications related to the event also increased the likelihood of seeking help. By contrast, respondents reporting good mental health or a happy childhood were less likely to pursue outside support.
About one-third experienced ongoing health problems, and one in five noted difficulties in personal relationships. Nearly 70% reported changes in religious or spiritual beliefs. Although 85% felt a need to discuss the experience, 55% feared doing so.
Validation was strongly associated with perceived benefit. Those who received a positive initial reaction when disclosing the event were more likely to view subsequent support as helpful. Participants also rated assistance from near-death-focused organizations or online communities as particularly effective. Common barriers to help-seeking included fear of disbelief or ridicule, limited access to knowledgeable providers, and cost. About one-fourth said they did not feel a need for professional help.
“Increased awareness across the fields of medicine and psychology will ultimately help foster earlier intervention, more effective support, and enhanced ability to study the underlying mechanisms of NDEs, their aftereffects, and their implications,” said Marieta Pehlivanova, PhD, Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, Division of Perceptual Studies, University of Virginia School of Medicine, and colleagues.
Researchers analyzed survey responses from 167 adults (mean age, 53 years) recruited through near-death experience organizations and online groups. Participants completed a 79-item questionnaire that assessed demographics, experience characteristics, aftereffects, and support history. The survey incorporated the 16-item Near-Death Experience Scale, which measured experience depth. Binary logistic regression identified factors associated with help-seeking and perceived helpfulness. The investigators noted that the retrospective, self-report design limited causal interpretation. Recruitment through near-death–focused groups could restrict generalizability, and many participants engaged multiple support types, which made specific effects difficult to isolate. Pre- and immediate post-experience mental-health data were not collected.
The findings emphasized that patients who survive near-death episodes often benefit from opportunities to discuss and integrate their experiences within a supportive environment. The researchers suggested that clinicians and counselors may improve care by responding with openness and validation when such experiences are disclosed. They recommended future prospective studies to evaluate structured interventions and to include more diverse populations to clarify long-term outcomes.
The researchers reported no relevant financial or personal conflicts of interest.
Source: APA