PTSD,+Alcohol,+and+Near-Death+Experiences

__PTSD, Alcohol, and Near-Death Experiences__



Symptoms of PTSD can also be brought on by a threat of death or the near death to the person in question. (Turner, 2005) There is the suggestion that NDE's seem to bring about more intrusive symptoms of PTSD than other types of experiences, based on reading various reports from individuals. This may be due to the fact that the experience is more personal and intimate, and the suffering individual experiences the event as happening to them directly. (Greyson, 2001)

One source suggests that a dissociative experience at the time of trauma predicts symptoms of PTSD in later life. Many people at the time of a near death experience (NDE) report a sort of dissociative or even transcendental experience. There is the idea that this sort of powerful experience can be a catalyst for developing PTSD later in life, as the individual has difficulty making sense of the event. (Turner, 2005) Because of the impactful nature of NDE's, the symptoms of PTSD could become very unmanageable and severe. The person diagnosed may also have difficulty finding ways of coping with the personal and intimate nature of their NDE, and find others may have difficulty understanding their experience they may also find, that due to the lack of understanding, they are often labelled in negative ways. (Turner, 2005)

Abusing alcohol can become a means to physiologically and psychologically cope with the impact of being face to face with one's own mortality. (Turner, 2005) Alcohol is often used because it is a depressant drug, it is legal, and it helps to mediate the symptoms of PTSD. (Wilson et al, 2004) Alcohol is often the substance of choice for those who have had NDE's and subsequently develop PTSD because of the strange experiences that those experiencing PTSD find difficult to explain using rational thought, alcohol is a way to deal with these issues. (Greyson, 2001) Because of the deeply personal nature of this experience, and the lack of understanding of those who have not experienced it, individuals find it difficult to speak to anyone about it in a therapeutic way, and so alcohol becomes a logical choice because of its ability to reduce the pain associated with PTSD. (Turner, 2005)

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