What Near Death Suicide Experiencers Discovered

From “After: A Doctor Explores What Near-Death Experiences Reveal about Life and Beyond”  - M.D. Greyson, Bruce

My research with patients who had attempted suicide indicated that about one-fourth of them have an NDE in the course of the attempt. Those who do have NDEs are less suicidal after the event than suicide attempters who don’t have NDEs. This appears to be paradoxical because NDEs generally lead to more positive attitudes toward death and lessen the fear of dying. Having spent decades running psychiatric emergency services and trying to help people deal with their suicidal thoughts, this discovery stunned me. However, every study on the topic—my own and those by other researchers—has reached the same conclusion: that NDEs decrease thoughts of suicide. 

They most often report that the experience made them feel they are a part of something greater than themselves. Seen in that light their individual losses and problems seem less important. They now value themselves for who they are rather than for their circumstances. They tend to feel that life is more meaningful, more precious, and more enjoyable than they did before their suicide attempt, and they feel more alive than they did before. Many link their heightened personal value and more meaningful life to their belief that death is not the end, and to their sense of being interconnected with other people.

Not only for suicide attempters but for most people who have NDEs, losing fear of death means also losing fear of life—letting go of having to be in control all the time, taking more risks, and enjoying life to the fullest. Over the years, I’ve heard time and again that losing the fear of death often leads to a richer appreciation of life, despite outward circumstances.

Studies have shown that introducing information about NDEs into the treatment of suicidal clients who did not respond to traditional therapy can lead to a dramatic decrease or elimination of suicidal thoughts. Other research has shown that information about NDEs can reduce the suffering of grieving individuals, leading to less anxiety, anger, and blame, and help them feel engaged in life again. So near-death experiences appear to be having a rippling effect throughout society in helping people address their concerns about death and their ability to enjoy life and feel compassion for one another.