The Near-Death Experience as a Focus of Clinical Attention

Near-death experiences often lead to significant shifts in attitudes and behavior, sometimes causing psychosocial and psychospiritual difficulties. The DSM-IV includes a diagnostic label for religious or spiritual problems, originally intended to cover NDEs and their aftereffects. Four cases illustrate patients presenting with NDE-related issues, and the article reviews differential diagnosis and current treatment approaches. This diagnostic category helps distinguish NDEs from mental disorders and may encourage research into more effective treatments.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Near-death experiences (NDEs) often produce profound changes in attitudes and behavior that can lead to psychosocial and psychospiritual problems. The diagnostic label of religious or spiritual problem, included in DSM-IV under the category of other conditions that may be a focus of clinical attention, was originally proposed to encompass NDEs and their aftereffects. Four cases are discussed in which patients presented with NDE-related problems, and differential diagnosis and current treatment strategies are reviewed. The inclusion of this new diagnostic category in the DSM-IV permits differentiation of NDEs and similar experiences from mental disorders and may lead to research into more effective treatment strategies.