In a World of Their Own: Experiencing Unconsciousness

by Madelaine Lawrence

Overview

Up until now, we have had little knowledge of what the state of unconsciousness was like from the patient's point of view. Surprisingly, in a state considered void of human experiences, Lawrence found that the events subjects reported were extraordinary. Her research in hospital units and in the literature reveals that more than 70% of the individuals who regain consciousness remember events during their unconscious period. They heard and understood conversations, had inner dialogues, recognized their emotions, and went out of their bodies. As would be expected, some of the patients' experiences are the now-recognized classic NDEs (near-death experiences).

The author also includes descriptions of related research from nursing, medicine, psychology, and parapsychology. The phenomena described in the book are not easily explained by the paradigm of one discipline. It is the author's point of view that because the phenomena crosses the lines of many disciplines, the answer to understanding and explaining the experiences can be obtained only by using theories and research methods from a variety of related disciplines. The integration of research from such varied disciplines brings a unique perspective to the chapters. Also included are suggestions for caregivers and families about what can be done for patients during their unconscious episode and after their recovery.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780275953232
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	01/21/1997
Pages:	200
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

MADELAINE LAWRENCE is Assistant Professor, College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions, University of Hartford, West Hartford, Connecticut.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Historical Theories, Assumptions, and Beliefs
Paradigms of the Disciplines: Medical Science, Psychology, Parapsychology, and Physics
Carol's Experience
Total Unconsciousness
Perceived Unconsciousness
Inner Awareness
Distorted Consciousness
Extrasensory Experiences
Out-of-Body Experiences
Near-Death Experiences
Near-Death Visits
The Grim Reaper
Pronounced Dead but Still Alive
Conclusions, Current Research, and Clinical Implications
Appendix: Further Evidence for Veridical Perception during Near-Death Experiences
References
Index

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Kathy Lauer, PhD, RN (Rush University College of Nursing)
Description: This book, despite its somewhat misleading title, describes a variety of phenomena characterized by the author as "altered states of consciousness" (e.g., total unconsciousness, distorted consciousness, extrasensory experiences, out-of-body and near-death experiences, and pronounced dead but still alive).
Purpose: The purpose is to report on ten years of descriptive qualitative and quantitative research of patient experiences while unresponsive. The research focuses on identification of consistent themes, patterns, and characteristics of these experiences. Many of these altered states of consciousness have received little attention in the professional literature, even though they are profound experiences for patients and often for health professionals as well.
Audience: Many healthcare professionals, especially nurses in acute/critical care settings, may never have the opportunity to hear about these experiences because these discussions often occur after patients leave the institutional setting. In addition, there seems to be a certain amount of stigma attached to discussion of many of these issues among healthcare professionals. However, there are abundant lay representations in the literature of some of these states — usually unsupported by sound research. This book strengthens the research base for further study of these phenomena. It is valuable for any professional dealing with individuals experiencing these events.
Features: The book is organized in three major sections: a review of paradigms and assumptions from a variety of disciplines which purport to explain relationshiops among body, mind, and soul (including medicine, nursing, psychology, psychiatry, parapsychology, physics, and neuropharmacology); a description and discussion of a number of altered states of consciousness to help explain the phenomena (including specific patient experiences, relevant research literature, and existing paradigms); and conclusions (including clinical and research implications).
Assessment: The book is well written and well referenced, both descriptively and scientifically, and presents a good blend of qualitative experiential data that is scientifically framed within existing paradigms. The author provides valuable insights of tremendous importance for clinicians and researchers and poses a number of research questions to be answered. Of concern are the high cost of the book and the fear that this important material may be buried in a book that has a very narrow audience. The nature of the material might lend itself better to a book chapter in a critical/acute care text with a wide distribution or to a review article in a critical care journal.

Doody's Review Service

5 Stars! from Doody

This book, despite its somewhat misleading title, describes a variety of phenomena characterized by the author as ""altered states of consciousness"" (e.g., total unconsciousness, distorted consciousness, extrasensory experiences, out-of-body and near-death experiences, and pronounced dead but still alive). The purpose is to report on ten years of descriptive qualitative and quantitative research of patient experiences while unresponsive. The research focuses on identification of consistent themes, patterns, and characteristics of these experiences. Many of these altered states of consciousness have received little attention in the professional literature, even though they are profound experiences for patients and often for health professionals as well. Many healthcare professionals, especially nurses in acute/critical care settings, may never have the opportunity to hear about these experiences because these discussions often occur after patients leave the institutional setting. In addition, there seems to be a certain amount of stigma attached to discussion of many of these issues among healthcare professionals. However, there are abundant lay representations in the literature of some of these states -- usually unsupported by sound research. This book strengthens the research base for further study of these phenomena. It is valuable for any professional dealing with individuals experiencing these events. The book is organized in three major sections: a review of paradigms and assumptions from a variety of disciplines which purport to explain relationshiops among body, mind, and soul (including medicine, nursing, psychology, psychiatry, parapsychology, physics, andneuropharmacology); a description and discussion of a number of altered states of consciousness to help explain the phenomena (including specific patient experiences, relevant research literature, and existing paradigms); and conclusions (including clinical and research implications). The book is well written and well referenced, both descriptively and scientifically, and presents a good blend of qualitative experiential data that is scientifically framed within existing paradigms. The author provides valuable insights of tremendous importance for clinicians and researchers and poses a number of research questions to be answered. Of concern are the high cost of the book and the fear that this important material may be buried in a book that has a very narrow audience. The nature of the material might lend itself better to a book chapter in a critical/acute care text with a wide distribution or to a review article in a critical care journal.

Kathy Lauer

A descriptive study with both qualitative and quantitative components focusing on the states that patients experience while unconscious and the themes, patterns, and characteristics of those states. Lawrence (nursing and health professions, U. of Hartford) explores the historical theories and assumptions about unconscious states, traditional medical, psychological, and parapsychological paradigms, and analyzes the experiences of "unconscious" individuals in total unconsciousness, perceived unconsciousness, distorted consciousness, extrasensory and out-of-body states, and near death. The appendix includes a reprint of an article penned by the author and Kenneth Ring regarding near death perception. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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