Do Suicide Survivors Report Near-Death Experiences?

Abstract

Interviews with thirty-six persons who had been close to death as a result of a suicide attempt were conducted to determine whether such persons report Moody-type near-death experiences. Seventeen persons, or 47 per cent of the sample, related such experiences which were more common for men than women (p <.05). Although suicide-related near-death experiences do not appear different from near-death experiences in general, three distinct patterns were found here. The findings are discussed with reference to the concept of ego-death and their therapeutic implications are explored.