University of Sussex
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Near-death experience and out of body phenomenon during torture--a case report

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 13:50 authored by Maxwell CooperMaxwell Cooper
A case of a near death experience (NDE) associated with an "Out of body" phenomenon in an African man as a result of torture is presented. Although NDEs occur in approximately ten per cent of survivors of cardiac arrest, case reports emerging from the medical examination of torture victims are lacking. This may be due to cultural/linguistic barriers and fear of disbelief. Low NDE incidence during torture would suggest that torture techniques rarely induce the critical brain ischaemia considered necessary to provoke an NDE. Alternatively psychological or physical characteristics of torture may render NDE harder to recall. Proof of low incidence during torture would counter the theory that NDEs are a psychological response to perceived threat of death. NDEs often induce transformational benefits in patients' lives and for this reason the author urges physicians to consider the possibility of NDE amongst torture victims under their care. A request for information about similar cases is made

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Torture : quarterly journal on rehabilitation of torture victims and prevention of torture

ISSN

1997-3322

Publisher

International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims

Issue

3

Volume

21

Page range

178-181

Department affiliated with

  • Primary Care and Public Health Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-11-21

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2013-09-03

Usage metrics

    University of Sussex (Publications)

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC