The Choking Game is a very serious concern for parents and teens. If you are not familiar with this 'game' take a few minutes to learn more. G.A.S.P. - Games Adolescents Shouldn't Play website has some valuable information you can't afford to ignore.
What is the Choking Game?
It's not a game at all-just an act of suffocating on purpose.
Adolescents cut off the flow of blood to the brain, in exchange for a few seconds of feeling lightheaded. Some strangle themselves with a belt, a rope or their bare hands; others push on their chest or hyperventilate.
When they release the pressure, blood that was blocked up floods the brain all at once. This sets off a warm and fuzzy feeling, which is just the brain dying, thousands of cells at a time.
Why are kids doing this?
Some do it for the high, which can become addictive. Others do it because it's "cool" and risky. Most kids who have died from this were active, intelligent, stable children who thought this was a safe alternative to drugs and alcohol. Most children have no concept of their own mortality-they truly believe nothing can hurt them.
What are the warning signs?
•Any suspicious mark on the side of the neck, sometimes hidden by a turtleneck, scarf or permanently turned-up collar.
•Changes in personality, such as overtly aggressive or agitated.
•Any kind of strap, rope or belt lying around near the child for no clear reason-and attempts to elude questions about such objects.
•Headaches (sometimes excruciatingly bad ones), loss of concentration, flushed face.
•Bloodshot eyes or any other noticeable signs of eye stress.
•A thud in the bedroom or against a wall-meaning a fall in cases of solitary practice.
•Any questions about the effects, sensations or dangers of strangulation.
Learn more at G.A.S.P. and watch the one minute PSA below. Be an educated parent - you will have a safer teen.
Comments
Just the other day, I was talking to the principal at our elementary school and she told me that a few years ago they had problems with some of the 5th graders participating in this activity. Yes, 5th graders. Scary! Please talk to your kids. Thanks, Sue for another great article.
This activity even happens in South Africa - where I was a teacher (had regular events at the junior high where I tought) and now work as a paramedic (have been called out to the odd occassion for a teenage "collapse"). If only our children would understand!
It is scary. Just have to keep the lines of communication open with our kids and hopefully inform them of the risks in a way that they take it to heart.
Thanks,
Douglas Curtiss, M.D.
www.OwnersManualForYourKids.com
Some kids in my daughter's school do that(she's heading into 6th grade). She says (she's heading into 6th grade) that a couple of the boys have actually PASSED OUT in the boys bathroom, although only for a few seconds, just by the Choking Games. They also happen to be the sketchiest boys in the grade, or so told by my daughter. WONDER WHY!? She says that's the stupidest thing in the world. Whew.
Wow...I'm a teen and honestly I didn't realize that these choking games existed. I think it's stupid for teens to try to risk dying just to get high. I write for a parenting blog runned by teens who gives advices to parents from our perspectives. (radicalparenting.com)
We also have an article about the choking game and we talked to teens who been to the choking party or knew about them. feel free to check it out! http://www.radicalparenting.com/2010/08/12/the-choking-game/
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