The near-death experience as a focus of clinical attention.
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.
Greyson
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B
Department of Psychiatric Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22908, USA.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D015897:Comorbidity; D003643:Death; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D009626:Terminology as Topic