EOL & NDE Flashcards
What are the six common themes of deathbed experiences?
Talking to the dying
Preparing for a journey
Watching/Engaging with the decreased
Loved ones waiting
Distressing experiences
Unfinished business
What emotions are typically associated with dreams of deceased loved ones waiting for the dying?
Comfort, but distress for those not yet ready to die
What is the prevalence of deathbed visions in a study of dying individuals in India?
28.84% experienced visions, often involving deceased loved ones or religious figures
How can ELEs psychologically benefit patients and loved ones?
Provide comfort, ease the transition, and offer hope or closure
What religious group was found to have a higher prevalence of deathbed visions, and why?
Hindus (44%), possibly due to detailed beliefs about spirits and the afterlife compared to some Islamic beliefs
What are the main features of the Near-Death Experience (NDE)?
Awareness of being dead
Out-of-body experiences
Bright light or tunnel vision
Encounters with deceased persons or entities
Life review
Timelessness
Euphoria or peace
What is the most common psychological aftereffect of an NDE?
Losing the fear of death
What does the Psychological Expectancy Hypothesis propose about NDEs?
NDEs reflect a person’s expectations of the afterlife during altered mental states
What is a criticism of the Brain Dysfunction Theory for explaining NDEs?
NEDs are too unique and specific to be explained by general hallucinations or subjective brain responses
Who is considered the “father” of the modern NDE movement?
Raymond A. Moody, MD., author of Life After Life
What is the Near-Death Experiences Scale (1983), and who developed it?
A 16-item scale measuring the depth of NDEs, developed by Bruce Greyson, MD.
What are the reported prevalence rates of NDEs in the general populations versus critically ill patients?
4-10% in the general population; 10-18% in critically ill patients
How are ELEs and NDEs psychological similar?
Both provide comfort, spiritual insights, and can ease fear of death for patients and their loved ones.
What psychological shifts are common after an NDE?
Increased spiritually, sense of purpose, and less fear of death
