Impact of a near-death experience and religious conversion on the mental health of a criminal: case report and literature review

Abstract

Impacto de uma experiência de quase-morte e conversão religiosa sobre a saúde mental de um criminoso: relato de caso e revisão da literatura Impact of a near-death experience and religious conversion on the mental health of a criminal: case report and literature review Abstract Objective: Near-death experiences have been defined as profound psychological events that may occur to a person while close to death or in a situation of extreme physical or emotional distress. These experiences seem to have an important effect on the patients' mental health and may occur in several situations despite their cultural and religious beliefs. Case description: The present case report describes the positive impact of a near-death experience (Greyson scale > 7) followed by religious conversion on the mental health of a former prisoner. Comments: Investigation of the role of near-death experiences by the scientific community could shed light on the coping mechanisms and moral/ethical transformations that take place in these individuals. Keywords: Near-death experience, religion and medicine, criminality, mental health, social reintegration. ResumoObjetivo: As experiências de quase-morte são definidas como eventos psicológicos profundos, que podem ocorrer quando uma pessoa está em morte iminente ou em situação de intensa crise física ou emocional. Essas experiências parecem ter efeito importante sobre a saúde mental desses pacientes e ocorrem em diversas situações, a despeito de culturas e crenças religiosas. Despite consistent reports describing behavioral changes associated with NDEs, few studies have investigated these changes or their impact on extreme conditions, as is the case of highly dangerous criminals.The present report describes the case of a former prisoner reporting an NDE followed by religious conversion and the influence of the event on the life and mental health of the individual. Case reportOur case was a 45-year old male born in the state showed an important degree of spiritual well-being, and frequently engaged in spiritual activities, as part of his daily life. The score obtained on the psychopathy scale (12) was primarily associated with his past history, which involved juvenile delinquency and conduct disorders during childhood. The scores therefore reflect a partial personality disorder, with less severe alterations and allowing for a higher degree of social integration when compared with subjects identified as psychopaths. 19The participant signed an informed consent form and agreed to have his case described and published. DiscussionThere is much discussion about the impact of spirituality on the lives of human beings 20,21 and also of the influence of NDE on the mental health of individuals. 22Some phenomena, such as the continuation of complex mental functions when the brain is inactive or hypoxic, reveal a possible methodological insufficiency of materialistic science in describing these events, because it is based on a reductionist model of classical physics.Some authors have suggested that one type ...