There are two types of near-death experiences, or NDEs. The more common type is categorized as a pleasurable NDE and is seen as generally positive. But a distressing NDE is also possible, and they can be quite harrowing when experienced.
While each NDE is unique, pleasurable NDEs typically include four phases that often (but don’t necessarily) happen in a particular order. These phases can even overlap, occurring at the same time.
Meanwhile, distressing NDEs might include all four of those phases, or sometimes fewer phases or even different phases.
Let’s explore pleasurable NDEs and distressing NDEs and discuss their key differences.
The four phases of pleasurable NDEs
The first phase of a pleasurable NDE can be termed as “disassociation”—the experiencer no longer feels associated with their physical body, or with any particular perspective. They feel “detached” and completely peaceful without seeing, hearing, or feeling anything in particularl. They sometimes describe a sensation of “floating” and a sense of complete wellbeing.
In the second phase, experiencers say they become aware of their “natural” surroundings, which may include veridical perception. Things apparently look and sound normal, but are unusually clear and vivid. They also often report having unusual abilities—seeing through walls or “hearing” the unspoken thoughts of people nearby.
The third phase is often “supernatural”. The experiencer encounters beings and environments they do not consider to be a part of the “natural” world. This may involve meeting with deceased loved ones or non-physical entities, usually with telepathic or “mind to mind” communication.
The environment during this supernatural phase is described as extremely beautiful, with objects appearing to be lit from within, and sometimes with beautiful otherworldly music being heard.
Experiencers often describe moving rapidly through a tunnel or a void toward a light, and realizing upon entering that light that it was actually a being. This being is described as completely knowing and loving the experiencer. Some experiencers also say they witness a “life review” of all their actions in their lifetimes. Some even claim to moving beyond the light, seeing cities of “light” and “knowledge”.
The final phase of a pleasurable NDE involves a return to the physical body. Approximately half of experiencers report they chose whether or not to return, opting to do so because of connections with one or more living people. Others were not given a choice—they were told or made to return, or were suddenly “back” in their bodies.
The four types of distressing NDEs
Distressing near-death experiences are far less common than pleasurable ones. We’ll examine the four types of distressing NDEs, ordered from most frequently to least frequently reported.
The “powerless” type of distressing NDEs are reported as sharing the same phases as pleasurable NDEs. However, the experiencer says they felt powerlessness while the experience was “happening” to them. They resisted, were afraid, or were even angry as a result.
Experiencers of the “nothingness” type say they often say they felt as if they didn’t exist, or were completely alone in a total and eternal void.
Those witnessing the “torment” type report being in terrifying or ugly landscapes, sometimes with evil beings, annoying noises, frightening creatures, and even with other human spirits in great distress.
The rarest form of distressing NDE is described as “worthlessness”, where the experiencer says they felt negatively judged by a higher power during a life review.
Some people reporting distressing NDEs say those experiences became pleasurable NDEs after they stopped fighting or surrendered to the experience, or asked for help from a higher power. In some extremely rare cases, some have repeated pleasurable NDEs turning into distressing NDEs.