Clinical approaches to the near-death experiencer

Greyson, Bruce; Harris, Barbara

doi:10.1007/bf01073267

Cited by 43 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 4 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…While that notion has been common among clinicians (Greyson and Harris, 1987), it has never before been tested.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Near-death experiences precipitated by suicide attempt: Lack of influence of psychopathology, religion, and expectations

Greyson

1991

J Near-Death Stud

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Near-death experiences (NDEs), transcendental or mystical events experienced on the threshold of death, have been speculated to arise from psychopathology or from pre-existing expectations of the dying process, although such speculations have never been tested. Sixty-one consecutive suicide attempters were interviewed in this empirical study of persons who would be expected to have a high rate of both psychopathology and coming close to death; 16 (26%) reported near-death experiences (NDEs) as a result of the attempt. The group reporting NDEs and the group not reporting NDEs did not differ from each other in any parameters measuring psychopathology, religious background, or expectations of death and dying.Reports of near-death experiences (NDEs), subjective events with transcendental or mystical elements that some persons experience when close to death, suggest that study of these phenomena may yield insights into the psychodynamics of our concepts of death and dying (Greyson, 1983) JOURNAL OF NEAR-DEATH STUDIEShowever, few empirical studies of NDEs among suicide attempters have been conducted.It has been speculated that NDEs arise as a manifestation of psycho pathology (Greyson and Harris, 1987) or fulfillment of prior expecta tions of the dying process (Greyson, 1983). Although these hypotheses are contradicted by anecdotal data (Sabom, 1982), they have yet to be tested systematically. An analysis of the psychological meaning and value of the NDE must take into account the role of psychopathology and expectancy in these experiences.I previously reported the incidence of NDEs among an unselected sample of consecutive suicide attempters to be 26%, and the finding that NDEs among that sample were not related to age, gender, or race (Greyson, 1986). In the present paper, I describe these patients' prior evidence of psychopathology, religious background, and expectations of death and dying. I then describe the relation of those factors to the occurrence of NDEs following the suicide attempt, and discuss the implications of these data for hypotheses about the NDE. MethodSixty-one consecutive suicide attempters admitted to the University of Michigan Hospital were given a structured interview exploring demographic and historical data, including prior psychiatric treatment and suicidal behavior; family history of suicidal behavior; religious background; expectations of death and dying prior to the attempt; and

show abstract

“…While that notion has been common among clinicians (Greyson and Harris, 1987), it has never before been tested.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It has been speculated that NDEs arise as a manifestation of psycho pathology (Greyson and Harris, 1987) or fulfillment of prior expecta tions of the dying process (Greyson, 1983). Although these hypotheses are contradicted by anecdotal data (Sabom, 1982), they have yet to be tested systematically.…”

mentioning

confidence: 97%

Near-death experiences precipitated by suicide attempt: Lack of influence of psychopathology, religion, and expectations

Greyson

1991

J Near-Death Stud

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Sometimes people who have had NDEs may doubt their sanity, yet they are often afraid of rejection or ridicule if they discuss this fear with friends or professionals. Sometimes, NDErs do receive negative reactions from professionals when they describe their experiences, which discourages them even further from seeking help in understanding the experience (Greyson, 1997a;Greyson and Harris, 1987).…”

Section: Negative Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…On the other hand, family and friends influenced by the popular publicity about the positive effects of NDEs may place the experiencer on a pedestal and expect unrealistic changes. Sometimes, friends expect superhuman patience and forgiveness from the NDEr or miraculous healing and prophetic powers; they may then reject the NDEr who does not live up to these unrealistic expectations (Greyson, 1997a;Greyson and Harris, 1987).…”

Section: Negative Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experiências de quase-morte: implicações clínicas

Greyson

2007

Rev. psiquiatr. clín.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: When some people come close to death, they report a profound experience of transcending the physical world that often leads to spiritual transformation. These "near-death experiences" (NDEs) are relevant to clinicians because they lead to changes in beliefs, attitudes, and values; they may be mistaken for psychopathological states, although producing different sequelae requiring different therapeutic approaches; and because they may enhance our understanding of consciousness. Objectives: This literature review examined the evidences regarding explanations proposed to explain NDEs, including expectation, birth memories, altered blood gases, toxic or metabolic hallucinations, and neurochemical and neuroanatomical models. Methods: The literature on NDEs of the past 30 years was examined comprehensively, including medical, nursing, psychological, and sociological databases. Results: NDEs typically produce positive changes in attitudes, beliefs, and values, but may also lead to interpersonal and intrapsychic problems. These problems have been compared to various mental disorders, but are distinguishable from them. Various therapeutic strategies have been proposed to help experiencers with problematic aftereffects, but have not been tested yet. Conclusions: The mystical consciousness and higher mental activity during NDEs, when the brain is severely impaired, challenge current models of brain/mind interaction and may occasionally lead to more complete models for the understanding of consciousness.

show abstract

“…The guidelines developed for clinical approaches to NDE-related problems that emerged from the LANDS workshop in Pembroke Pines, Florida, in February, 1984, appear to me to be very sound (Greyson & Harris, 1987). I don't see the need to alter them significantly.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Review of Bette Furn's ?adjustment and the near-death experience?

McDonagh¹

1987

J Near-Death Stud

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

At the outset of this review, I must identify myself as one who has not experienced a near-death experience (NDE), and as one who has had only limited contact with survivors of the NDE. I think it appropriate, therefore, to cite the words of the Eastern sage: "He who knows does not say, and he who says does not know." Any words I might choose, therefore, will fall short. After all, the NDE is an ineffable experience, and we probably don't have a theoretical framework that adequately comprehends it.Bette Furn offers us a carefully thought out conceptual framework as a guide to counseling NDE survivors. Early in her article, she expresses concern that professional therapists will misinterpret the NDE according to the medical mental health model. In its place, she offers us a psychoeducational, cross-cultural alternative. While that alternative is clearly preferable to the medical one in providing some kind of "road map" to guide us to an understanding of the NDE survivor's experience, I believe it has very important limitations. However, Iadmire her originality and creativity in suggesting the approach, and thereby stimulating thought and discussion in this area.One of the basic premises of Furn's article is the analogy she makes between an NDE and an experience of two very disparate cultures. That is a provocative viewpoint, and the analogy may well have some merit. However, every analogy is limited, and it is from such limitations that arise the shortcomings of dealing with the NDE as a cross-cultural experience. The limitations of the approach offered by Furn, in my view, arise from two basic problems.Dr. McDonagh is a psychologist in private practice. Requests for reprints should be sent to Dr. McDonagh at 2

show abstract

Clinical approaches to the near-death experiencer

Cited by 43 publications

References 4 publications

Near-death experiences precipitated by suicide attempt: Lack of influence of psychopathology, religion, and expectations

Near-death experiences precipitated by suicide attempt: Lack of influence of psychopathology, religion, and expectations

Experiências de quase-morte: implicações clínicas

Review of Bette Furn's ?adjustment and the near-death experience?

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About