by P.M.H. Atwater, L.H.D.

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Pattern of Aftereffects

Around eighty percent of the people who experienced near-death states claimed that their lives were forever changed by what happened to them. On closer examination, though, a pattern of surprising dimensions emerged. Experiencers were not returning with just a renewed zest for life and a more spiritual outlook. They were evidencing specific psychological and physiological differences on a scale never before faced by them. And this was true with child experiencers, as well as with teenagers and adults.

Various researchers have attempted to profile these changes over the years. Even without the necessary funding to do clinical studies, most feel that enough research has been done to justify acknowledging the aftereffects pattern and making information about it available. Knowing what is typical for experiencers should help to alleviate any worry or confusion not only for the individual involved—but for family and friends, as well as health-care professionals and the community at-large.

The pattern of aftereffects from near-death states can best be understood if considered under the separate headings of major characteristics of psychological and physiological changes. Details and explanations follow:

Major Characteristics of Psychological Changes

Loss of the fear of death, more spiritual and less religious, easily engage in abstract thinking, more philosophical, can go through various bouts with depression, more generous and charitable than before, form expansive concepts of love while at the same time challenged to initiate and maintain satisfying relationships, "inner child" or unresolved issues from childhood tend to surface, less competitive, convinced of a life purpose, rejection of previous limitations in life and "normal" role-playing, heightened sensations of taste-touch-texture-smell, increased intuitive/psychic abilities plus the ability to know or "re-live" the future, charismatic, a child-like sense of wonder and joy, less stressed, more detached and objective, can continue to dissociate or "separate" from the body, easily absorbed ("merge into" whatever is focused on), hunger for knowledge and learning, highly curious.

Major Characteristics of Physiological Changes

Altered thought-processing (switch from sequential/ selective thinking to clustered thinking: thoughts bunch together/ideas pop up), comfortable with ambiguity, heightened intelligence, more creative and inventive, unusual sensitivity to light and sound, substantially more or less energy (even energy surges in body, ofttimes more sexual), reversal of body clock, lower blood pressure, accelerated metabolic and substance absorption rates (decreased tolerance of pharmaceuticals and chemically treated products), often turn to alternative healthcare treatments, electrical sensitivity, synesthesia (multiple sensing), increased allergies or sensitivities, can possess ability to heal, a preference for more vegetables and grains (less of meat), physically younger looking (before and after photos can differ).

Aftereffects cannot be faked. Nor can you hide your response to the way they affect you (whether you realize what you are doing or not).

You may be able to delay their onset or lessen the impact they have, but you cannot pretend away the complex and life-altering potential they bring.

Irrespective of any drama brought on by near-death states, what happens afterward is where true value and real meaning are established.

Helpful Notes

It is possible to have near-death-like experiences without the threat of impending physical death. Children, for instance, can have death dreams that are unusually powerful. Adults can emerge unscathed from mishap, or find themselves slipping into a different meditative state, only to discover later on "they have changed." If a genuine case, the individual will exhibit the same pattern of aftereffects as a near-death experiencer.

Adjusting to the aftereffects takes time. The first three years tend to be the most confusing, almost as if the individual isn't "fully back." Experiencers and their families are urged to attend or start a local IANDS group, and to read the following books for indepth research studies about aftereffects.

Helpful Books

Atwater, P. M. H., L.H.D. Coming Back to Life.

Atwater, P. M. H., L.H.D. Beyond the Light, The Mysteries and Revelations of Near-Death Experiences.

Atwater, P. M. H., L.H.D. Children of the New Millennium.

Atwater, P. M. H., L.H.D. (2003). The New Children and Near-Death Experiences. Rochester, Vermont: Bear & Company.

Morse, Melvin, M.D. Transformed By The Light. (Piatkus Books paperback).

Ring, Kenneth, Ph.D. Heading Toward Omega.

Ring, Kenneth, Ph.D. Lessons from the Light.

Sutherland, Cherie, Ph.D. Reborn In The Light. (Bantam Books paperback).

(c) 1998 by P. M. H. Atwater, L.H.D.