We’ve all heard the stories about the bright light, your life flashing before your eyes, or maybe even a mysterious figure/voice telling you it’s not your time yet. But what really happens after a near-death experience?
A new study from the University of Virginia has found that near-death experiences can reduce people’s fear of death and cause them to feel a deeper spiritual connection.
They can also leave the individuals who had the near-death experience feeling isolated, as most people won’t understand what they’ve been through.
A total of 167 people who had near-death experiences were surveyed. At the time of the study, participants ranged in age from 18 to 82 years old, with their near-death experiences having happened anywhere from 0 to 75 years ago.
Near-death experiences were described as leaving the body, feeling overwhelming peace or meeting dead loved ones. In the past, research has shown that about one in six critically ill patients reports such episodes, so they are not rare.
Near-death experiences can also put a lot of strain on relationships. More than one in five participants stated that their relationships with family, friends, or people in general worsened. Another 22% reported going through a divorce or breakup.
In addition, experiencers’ values shifted significantly. Almost 70% reported changes in their religious or spiritual beliefs and had new views about survival after death.
Many participants began living a different lifestyle than before or partaking in different daily activities. More than a third changed jobs or their entire careers.
Apparently, some people found it more difficult to connect with those around them because everyday life feels distant. The period after a near-death experience can be described as a kind of culture shock. They felt peace and love, only to be jolted back into a world full of stress.
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As a result, they may lose motivation to continue doing the same tasks they’ve always done, causing friction between the people in their lives.
Experiencers also had a hard time trying to share about what the event was like. In the survey, 85% felt a strong need to talk about their near-death experience, but 55% were afraid to do so, as they were worried about being dismissed or judged.
Mental health professionals were actually rated as less helpful than support from peers or the community overall. One participant pointed out, “There are really no therapies or support out there if we are being honest. This is not like other phenomena, addiction, abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, with a wide patient population.”
Near-death experiences are not considered mental disorders. They are just something that may need professional attention. Still, many experts lack training on how to help people who have had near-death experiences. The study authors call for better training for professionals and specialized support systems for experiencers.
The research was published in the Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice.
By Emily Chan
Emily Chan is a writer who covers lifestyle and news content. She graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in... More about Emily Chan
