Do Suicide Survivors Report Near-Death Experiences?

Abstract

Interviews with thirty-six persons who had been close to death as a result of a suicide attempt were conducted to determine whether such persons report Moody-type near-death experiences. Seventeen persons, or 47 per cent of the sample, related such experiences which were more common for men than women (p <.05). Although suicide-related near-death experiences do not appear different from near-death experiences in general, three distinct patterns were found here. The findings are discussed with reference to the concept of ego-death and their therapeutic implications are explored.

Western Scientific Approaches to Near-Death Experiences

“…Later studies involved interviewing all members of a group of individuals likely to have been close to death. Although some of the earlier cohort studies focused on accident victims [10,23,24,119] or survivors of attempted suicide [30,[120][121][122][123][124], more recent ones have focused on survivors of cardiac arrest [5][6][7][8]14,61,125]. Limiting the sample to cardiac arrest survivors maximizes the possibility that the study participants were indeed close to death, but as noted above, NDEs associated with cardiac arrest may not be typical of NDEs associated with other circumstances.…”

“…In recent years, this information has inspired some changes in practices among healthcare providers as they become more sensitive to the frequency and effects of NDEs on their patients [150]. Information about near-death experiences has been used by therapists and counselors to reduce suicidal thoughts [123,151,152], comfort people with terminal illness [153,154] and the bereaved [151,154], and support soldiers going into combat [155].…”

Near-Death Experience: Out-of-Body and Out-of-Brain?

“…Although people have sometimes wondered whether "good" people have pleasurable experiences and "bad" people have distressing ones, research has shown no correlation between apparent life deeds and type of NDE (Rommer, 2000). For instance, we might expect those attempting suicide to have more hellish experiences but in fact they do not (Ring & Franklin, 1981;Greyson & Stevenson, 1980). Distressing NDEs occur about equally to people of both genders and of all ages, educational and socioeconomic levels, sexual orientations, spiritual beliefs, religious affiliations, and life experiences (Bush, 2002).…”

“…Schroeter-Kunhardt (1993) reviewed some reasons underlying the potential underestimation of the phenomenon. The main points may be summarized as follow: 1) in European hospitals very few Morse et al, 1986;Dell'Olio, 2009 2 Increase of mood with feelings of euphoria, happiness and well-being van Lommel et al, 2001;Greyson, 2010b;Dell'Olio, 2009;Blackmore, 1996 3 Out-of-body-experience Morse et al, 1986;van Lommel et al, 2001;Greyson, 2010b;Kelly, 2001;Dell'Olio, 2009 4 Entering a tunnel-like Morse et al, 1986;van Lommel et al, 2001;Kelly, 2001;Dell'Olio, 2009;Kellehear, 1993 5 Perception of a light Greyson, 2010b;van Lommel et al, 2001;Kelly, 2001;Ring & Cooper, 1997;Dell'Olio, 2009 6 Perception of a heavenly or hellish landscape Greyson & Bush, 1992;Atwater, 1994;van Lommel et al, 2001 7 Encounter with deceased relatives, religious figures or beings of light Kelly, 2001;Greyson & Stevenson, 1980;Greyson, 2010b;Betty, 2006 8 Experience of a life review Stevenson & Cook, 1995;Greyson, 2010b;van Lommel et al, 2001;Kellehear, 1993 9 Different temporal perception Greyson & Stevenson, 1980;Greyson, 1998;Dell'Olio, 2009 10 Perception of sounds or music Greyson & Stevenson, 1980;Ring & Franklin, 1981;…”

Assessing psychologists' knowledge and attitudes toward near-death phenomena

“…We often waste potentially productive energy worrying about death. Knowledge of NDEs has also been used to deter suicide (McDonagh, 1979;Ring, 1980Ring, , 1982Franklin, 1981-1982).…”