70% of people who have had a near-death experience do this

They opened a window to a whole new world at the door of death.

About 15% of critically ill patients report experiencing a near-death experience (NDE), which can mean an overwhelming out-of-body feeling, an encounter with a deceased loved one, seeing a bright light, a rapid review of life milestones, or a profound sense of peace.

To find out how people respond to near-death experiences, researchers at the University of Virginia surveyed 167 people who said they had had near-death experiences.

One major coping mechanism stood out among the others – nearly 70% of participants reported a shift in their religious or spiritual beliefs and a fear of death after a near-death experience.

“My near-death experience was quite severe,” one participant wrote on the questionnaire. “I know I will never be the same person, so it requires constant reflection and inner work every day.”

Others used the event to re-evaluate their personal relationships, with more than 20% reporting divorce or breakup, or even more serious relationship challenges or breakdowns.

Isolation and loneliness are recurring themes among NDE sufferers.

One survey participant described their near-death experience as a “double-edged sword” – it was an incredibly transformative experience but one they kept secret for fear of being judged.

Researchers said 64% of participants contacted a mental health professional, spiritual counselor or online community, with 78% finding these supports helpful.

The more intense the near-death experience, the more likely the patient is to seek help.

The problem is that many people struggle to find appropriate support – one church told one participant, “We don’t do that here” – and when they do get help they find it difficult to discuss their experiences.

“After several attempts, I honestly felt like no one had enough depth to handle this… all the responses were textbook and uninspired; very disappointing,” one participant wrote.

Another person noted: “In my experience, people around me didn’t understand the gravity of what I was going through, so I didn’t think others cared either.”

The findings were recently published in the journal Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research and Practice.

Researchers at the University of Virginia hope their work will pave the way for better care for patients who experience near-death experiences.

“Research on how to support these patients and their specific needs is still limited,” said Marieta Pehlivanova of UVA Health’s Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences.

“We hope to begin to address this gap and inspire other researchers, especially clinicians, to invest time and effort in solving these problems.”