People who report near-death experiences (NDEs) have more intrusive PTSD symptoms than those who came close to death without NDEs, but not more avoidance symptoms, suggesting a nonspecific stress response. Although dissociation typically increases vulnerability to PTSD, the positive affect that distinguishes NDEs from other dissociative experiences may reduce later PTSD symptoms.
Near-death experiences (NDEs) share a generally consistent set of common elements. The framework used to study new psychiatric syndromes offers a context for articulating NDEs, which can aid both research and the practice of mental health professionals.