Table 3.

General guidelines for psychiatrists working with NDEers

NDE: near-death experience; NDEers: near-death experiencers IANDS: International Association for Near-Death Studies, Inc.

Avoid the assumption that a client’s NDEs are symptomatic of pathology, but recognize that individuals with mental illness may also experience NDEs.

Respect the profound nature of these experiences as well as the individuality of each experiencer.

Provide a safe, nonjudgmental environment in which patients can freely discuss their experiences and the emotions surrounding their NDEs.

Avoid projecting your own value system.

Remember most of these individuals have recently nearly died and encourage them to also express the emotions related to the precipitating events.

Normalize the experience for patients without taking away the uniqueness of the NDE.

Assist patients with integrating the NDE into their daily lives to maintain best possible functioning.

Refer patients to local NDE-focused groups, such as IANDS groups.12

Adapted from Foster RD, James D, Holden JM. Practical applications of research on near-death experiences. In: Holden JM, Greyson B, James D (eds). The Handbook of Near-Death Experiences. Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger Publishers; 2009: 235–258.