A near-death experience (NDE) is a phenomenon wherebypowerful physical and emotional sensations and visions areexperienced by someone who is either close to death or has been declared clinically dead.This is an accessible guide to the theory and evidenceunderlying the phenomenon of NDEs. With contributions fromleading international experts in the field, it provides an overview of the research into NDEs, the nature of NDEs and how they have been experienced around the world, and the physiological, psychological and medical bases of the phenomenon. The book also discusses children's NDEs, NDEs from a religious perspective, the role of light in NDEs, the assessment and management of NDEs, and the future of research into the phenomenon.This essential handbook will provide all those who mayencounter someone who has had an NDE with the knowledgeand understanding they need, including nurses, doctors,palliative care workers, psychologists, psychiatrists and pastoralworkers.
Acknowledgements. Introduction. 1. Near-Death Experiences: An Overview and Early Studies. P.M.H. Atwater, investigative researcher and author. 2. Near-Death Experiences: A Critical Review of Epidemiological Studies of Near Death Experiences 2001-2010. Mahendra Perera, University of Melbourne, Australia and Rohan Jayasuriya, University of New South Wales, Australia. 3. Phenomenology of Near-Death Experiences. Karuppiah Jagadheesan and John Belanti, North West Area Mental Health Service, Victoria, Australia. 4. Dealing with Diversity: Cross-Cultural Aspects of Near-Death Experiences. Ornella Corrazza, University of Hertfordshire, UK and K.A.L.A. Kuruppuarachchi, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. 5. Near-Death Experiences of Children.Cherie Sutherland, author, researcher, educator and sociologist. 6. Pathophysiological Aspects of Near-Death Experiences. Pim van Lommel, Hospital Rijnstate,Arnhem, The Netherlands. 7. Psychological Aspects of Near-Death Experiences. Satwant K. Pasricha, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India. 8. Light and Near-Death Experiences. Anthony Peake, Giordano Bruno University. 9. Religious Significance of Near-Death Experiences. Paul Badham, University of Wales, UK.10. Assessment and Management of Near-Death Experiences. Peter Fenwick, Institute of Psychiatry, University of London, UK. 11. Prospecting in The Light: The Future of Near-Death Experiences Research. David J. Wilde, University of Manchester, UK and Craig D. Murray, University of Lancaster, UK. Conclusion. List of Contributors. Index.
Undergraduates, journalists and healthcare providers all point to the need for resources that familiarize and inform about NDEs. Making Sense of Near-Death Experiences offers readers just such a resource. ... [R]eaders will come away from this book with not only an understanding of diverse viewpoints about NDEs but also an awareness of the complexity of the field of near-death studies and an appreciation for the value of continued research in the field.
