Near-death experiences (NDEs) are transformative events occurring during a severe medical crisis, often involving a consistent set of phenomena. 

These can include out-of-body sensations, feelings of intense peace, rewatching major life events, encountering spiritual beings, and feelings of visiting another realm.

But many individuals face significant 'reentry problems,' often struggling with the jarring return to everyday life, which can suddenly seem trivial compared to the profound peace and unconditional love they experienced during an NDE. 

This can lead to depression, anger and a deep sense of loss for what felt like 'home.' 

A groundbreaking new study from the University of Virginia is sounding the alarm for the estimated 10 percent of Americans - 34million people - who have reported NDEs, revealing a critical gap in professional support for those returning from the brink of death. 

Researchers found that most near-death experiencers seek help to process their profound visions, but are often met with skepticism from medical professionals. This lack of validation frequently forces them to turn to online communities for support. 

The study pinpointed that a positive, supportive reaction from the people they tell is the single most significant factor in determining whether they find the help they need to heal from what can be a traumatic journey.

Dr Marieta Pehlivanova, lead author of the study and a professor of psychiatry and neurobehavioral sciences at UVA, told the Daily Mail: 'Not every person who has a near-death experience will necessarily struggle with making sense of the experience. 

'But what we find in research is that the more intense the NDE is… and we judge that by a score on a questionnaire… the more likely it is to transform people.'

And not every NDE is pleasant.  

Researchers said that 'a small percentage of NDEs experienced [are] distressing,' and later cited estimates that they occur in 'at least 10 percent and possibly as high as 22 percent of reported NDEs.'