New Study Reveals the Hidden Struggles of People Who Survive Near-Death Experiences

A new study published in Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice reveals that while near-death experiences (NDEs) often inspire profound personal transformation, they can also leave survivors grappling with confusion, isolation, and a lack of professional understanding.

The research is the first quantitative analysis to map out how NDE survivors seek and experience support. Drawing on data from 167 individuals who reported a verified NDE, the study highlights the paradox many experiencers face: a life-changing sense of purpose and peace coupled with deep emotional and social challenges.

Near-death experiences can occur when a person is close to dying or in medical crisis. Commonly reported elements include sensations of leaving one’s body, overwhelming peace, encounters with deceased relatives or spiritual beings, and a panoramic life review. While such events are often transformative, the study confirms that they can upend a person’s worldview. Nearly 70 percent of participants reported a major shift in their spiritual or religious beliefs, and over 20 percent said their relationships deteriorated afterward.

The study found that nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of respondents sought some form of support after their NDE—most often from therapists, clergy, spiritual counselors, or peer groups. Encouragingly, about 78 percent said the help they received was at least somewhat beneficial. Yet many also described long, frustrating searches for someone who would listen without judgment or skepticism.

Among the most frequent barriers to seeking support were fears of ridicule (18 percent), disbelief (28 percent), or being considered mentally ill (28 percent). Others simply could not find or afford appropriate care, or reported being dismissed by professionals who lacked familiarity with NDEs. 

Those who did find helpful support often turned to organizations such as the International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS) or the American Center for the Integration of Spiritually Transformative Experiences. Online communities and peer groups, the study found, were among the strongest predictors of perceived helpfulness.

A consistent theme emerged: validation was the most powerful predictor of positive outcomes. Participants who received a warm, accepting response when first disclosing their NDE were significantly more likely to rate their support as helpful. 

Conversely, a dismissive or pathologizing reaction from a health professional could deepen isolation. Nearly one in five disclosures to clinicians were reported as negative or harmful in previous research cited by the authors. This pattern underscores a persistent gap in care for people recovering from extraordinary experiences.

The data also revealed certain patterns. Individuals with a history of psychological counseling, substance use issues, or a difficult childhood were more likely to seek support. Those who reported good current mental health or a happy childhood, on the other hand, were less likely to need outside help but more likely to find it effective when they did seek it.

Older age at the time of the NDE correlated with better outcomes, perhaps reflecting greater life experience and coping skills. In contrast, childhood NDEs appeared to create unique integration challenges—consistent with earlier studies showing that younger experiencers may struggle to articulate or contextualize what happened to them.

To improve care, the study urges health professionals to adopt evidence-based guidelines for working with NDE survivors. These include validating the experience without imposing personal beliefs, avoiding pathologizing language, and fostering reflective rather than analytical dialogue. These findings are a call to bridge the gap between spiritual experience and psychological care—ensuring that those who have faced death are met not with skepticism, but with understanding.