Comer, N. L., Madow, L., & Dixon, J. J. (1967). Observations of sensory deprivation in a life-threatening situation. American Journal of Psychiatry, 124(2) 164-169.

Abstract: The illusions and hallucinations experienced by two miners trapped together for six days in a situation of marked reduction of sensory input are described. Their mental productions were chiefly related to wishes to be rescued, either by simple means such as doorways and stairs or by more powerful forces such as the Pope. Neither man exhibited evidence of psychosis or marked mental abnormality when examined two and three days after rescue.

Copyright: © 1967. Reprinted with permission of American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc.

Link: http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/

Topics:
Related Experiences—NDE-Like

Horton, P. C. (1973). The mystical experience as a suicide preventive. American Journal of Psychiatry, 130(3) 294-296.

Abstract: Three suicidal adolescents suffering from schizophrenic reactions developed the ability to conjure up a mystical consciousness. Directly experiencing this 'oceanic' state (or just its memory) provided the patients with a reliably soothing safeguard against their overwhelming loneliness and possible suicide. Recognition by the psychiatrist of the mystical state as a transitional phenomenon points the way to the most effective therapeutic stance.

Copyright: © 1973. Reprinted with permission of American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc.

Link: http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/

Topics:
Related Experiences—NDE-Like

Greyson, B., & Stevenson, I. (1980). The phenomenology of near-death experiences. American Journal of Psychiatry, 137(1) 1193-1196.

Abstract: The authors studied retrospectively 78 reports of “near-death experiences” using subjects’ narratives and questionnaires, interviews, and medical records. Prior experiences suggestive of transcendence of death were more common among these subjects than among control populations, but prior experiences suggestive of extrasensory phenomena were less common. Subsequent changes in attitudes were more common than among subjects in other studies who had had psychic experiences. The influence of cultural and psychological factors, sensory deprivation, and reflex adaptive responses to stress explain some but not all of the features of near-death experiences. Their potential value to our conceptualization of dying and to suicide prevention and the care of the terminally ill justifies further investigation.

Copyright: © 1980. Reprinted with permission of American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc.

Link: http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/

Topics:
Aftereffects of NDEs—Orientation to Death
Aftereffects of NDEs—Orientation to Life
Aftereffects of NDEs—Religion
Aftereffects of NDEs—Sense of Self, Psychological and Physical
Aftereffects of NDEs NOS
Afterlife, Belief in
Characteristics of NDErs—Age, Adults
Characteristics of NDErs—Education Level
Characteristics of NDErs—Gender
Characteristics of NDErs—Marital Status
Characteristics of NDErs—Occupation
Characteristics of NDErs—Religious Affiliations
Characteristics of NDErs NOS
Characteristics of NDEs—Autoscopy, Out-of-Body
Characteristics of NDEs—Emotions, Distressing
Characteristics of NDEs—Emotions, Pleasurable
Characteristics of NDEs—Emotions NOS
Characteristics of NDEs—Encountering Beings, Deceased or Living
Characteristics of NDEs—Life Review
Characteristics of NDEs—Parapsychological Phenomena, ESP
Characteristics of NDEs—Parapsychological Phenomena NOS
Characteristics of NDEs—Perception of Time
Characteristics of NDEs—Return NOS
Characteristics of NDEs—Sensory, Kinesthetic
Characteristics of NDEs—Sensory, Smell
Characteristics of NDEs—Sensory, Sound, Hearing
Characteristics of NDEs—Sensory, Vision
Characteristics of NDEs—Tunnel Experiences
Characteristics of NDEs NOS
Circumstances of NDEs—Accident
Circumstances of NDEs—Illness
Circumstances of NDEs—Induced Chemically
Circumstances of NDEs NOS
Cultural, Social Influences on NDEs
Definition of NDEs
Explanations of NDEs—Parapsychological
Explanations of NDEs—Psychological
Methodology in NDE Research

Twemlow, S. W., Gabbard, G. O., & Jones, F. C. (1982). The out-of-body experience: A phenomenological typology based on questionnaire responses. American Journal of Psychiatry, 139(4) 150-455.

Abstract: The authors review the few surveys that have been made of the incidence of out-of-body experiences. They then present data on 339 respondents to questionnaires who reported having had out-of-body experiences and 81 who had not. They analyze these data according to the conditions existing at the time of the experience, phenomenological features, and the long- and short-term impact of the experience. Finally, they raise questions about the etiology of out-of-body phenomena and their meaning to individuals who have such experiences.

Copyright: © 1982. Reprinted with permission of American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc.

Link: http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/

Topics:
Related Experiences NOS

Greyson, B. (1983). Near-death experiences and personal values. American Journal of Psychiatry, 140(5) 618-620.

Abstract: Near-death experiences reportedly foster value transformations and decrease suicidal ideation. Eighty-nine survivors of near-death experiences judged values related to material and social success as less important than did 175 control subjects. Decathexis of personal failures may account for the reported suicide-inhibiting effect.

Copyright: © 1983). Reprinted with permission of American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc.

Link: http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/

Topics:
Aftereffects of NDEs—Religion
Aftereffects of NDEs—Sense of Self, Psychological and Physical
Aftereffects of NDEs NOS
Characteristics of NDErs—Age, Adults
Characteristics of NDErs—Education Level
Characteristics of NDErs—Gender
Characteristics of NDErs—Occupation
Methodology in NDE Research