Near-death experience can have a life-changing and long-lasting impact on people, according to new research. A profound shift in purpose, priorities, and perspectives was found among these individuals. However, integrating them into daily life is a big struggle for them. This is revealed from a study conducted on 167 individuals. Over half (64 per cent) sought counselling and support afterwards. Once you receive understanding and validation from the people around them were a benefit. The profound changes in the perception of worldview were first explored by UVA’s Division of Perceptual Studies.
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Research Details
The research has been conducted by the University of Virginia School of Medicine. It focuses on the support and type of counselling. This includes the factors that predict the need for support and how helpful different forms of support are. The impact of Near Death Experiences (NDEs) can have different responses by individuals; this is mainly due to renewed purposes of life.
On one hand, a desire to serve people can grow along with an appreciation for themselves being a part of the larger community. On the other hand, some people struggle a lot to make sense of the experience. The struggle could be because the experience was contradictory to their existential or religious beliefs, scientific view or personal values. Other challenges that they could face are assessing priorities, relationships and values in their life.
Major Findings
- The key aspects of recovery include a non-judgmental attitude and acceptance from family, friends, and specialised groups. Childhood experiences and mental health resilience are also factors that could be counted for positive support.
- According to researcher Marieta Pehlivanova, PhD, of UVA Health’s Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, “Right type of support” is beneficial.
- Approximately more than 64% of individuals with NDEs reached out for help. And out of these, the support was found to be helpful for nearly 78% people.
- The higher the intensity of NDEs higher the chances that they would require help. And individuals with a history of mental health issues are more likely to reach out for help.
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Barriers and Gaps
There are certain barriers that research has spotted, which are as follows –
- Many individuals have a self-awareness that they require help; however, the resistance is present because of the fear of being labelled as “crazy”. Thus, support is beneficial when it has validation and a positive response from the people.
- Receiving mental health support has been associated with lower helpfulness. It highlights the need for training among professionals to address the psychological and spiritual needs of people who have had near-death experiences.
Way ahead!
The research significantly highlights that support is beneficial and helpful; however, how to provide the right support that is a deeper, scientific research-based understanding is still limited.
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