|
4539
qualitative
journal
Gibson, Arvin S. "Commentary on 'Frightening Near-Death Experiences.'" Journal of Near-Death Studies 15, no. 2 (Winter 1996): 141-148. Karen, Case 5.
Journal of Near-Death Studies, Vol. 15, No. 2, pp. 141-148, 1996
1996
F
Karen, going through a painful divorce, attempted suicide by taking a bottle of tranquilizers with the full intention of ending her life. About a week before the attempt, she had been awakened by a male voice saying "I'm going to get you. Sooner or later, I'm going to get you," which frightened her intensely. Her roommate dismissed it as just a dream, but the warning would prove prophetic. When everything seemed hopeless, she took the overdose, viewing eternal sleep as the best solution to her overwhelming problems.
At the hospital, medical staff pumped her stomach and administered charcoal, but her condition was critical. Her heart stopped, requiring defibrillator paddles to restart it. The medical team did not initially expect her to survive. During this period of cardiac arrest, Karen became conscious but found herself enveloped in total, pitch-black darkness. Despite the darkness, she experienced a feeling of movement and was aware of being in spiritual form rather than physical. A different male voice than the threatening one spoke to her, presenting a stark choice: "You have a choice. You can stay here, or you can go back. If you stay here, your punishment will be just as it is, right now. You will not have a body, you will not be able to see, touch, or have other sensations. You will only have this darkness and your thoughts, for eternity." She understood this would be her private hell - no contact with life or sensations, only consciousness with thoughts in total blackness forever. Frantically scared by this prospect, Karen immediately recognized her terrible mistake. She asked to return to life, and the voice said, "All right, you may return." The experience transformed her understanding of death and suicide. She realized that suicide was not an escape but would lead to an eternal prison of darkness and isolation. The NDE served as both judgment and mercy, allowing her a second chance at life with full knowledge of what awaited those who chose self-destruction.
2
Hospital
10
10
32
Moderate Evidence
12
Documented cardiac arrest, defibrillator use, stomach pumping in hospital
Specific dialogue with spiritual voice, detailed description of eternal punishment
written_account
0.00
1.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
7/23/2025
2
0
|