ABSTRA CT: Although the considerable majority of reported near-death expe riences (NDEs) are associated with positive affect, there are occasional cases of so-called negative NDEs that are dominated by fear and anguish. The phenom enological status of the negative experiences and their relationship to the more typical positive NDEs have been the subject of increasing speculation. In that light, the NDE described in this paper is of interest because it began to unfold as a positive experience but then changed course to become a negatively toned one. We present the details of this case and note its principal theoretical implications.Surveys of the near-death experience (NDE) in different countries consistently confirm the overriding positive affect associated with the experience. Most notable in this respect are feelings of tranquility and well-being at the onset of the NDE and a sense of reassurance induced by ostensible contact with a transcendental or "heavenly" realm. The experient (NDEr) may express disappointment, even anger, at having to return to an earthly life but even in such cases the NDE is appreci ated as a positive experience.There is nevertheless a handful of reported cases of NDEs dominated by fear and anguish. Instances of these so-called negative near-death Dr. Irwin is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of New England in Australia; Ms. Bramwell is an undergraduate student in the same department. Requests