ASK THE EXPERT:A "game" that is spreading in schools can lead to brain damage, or death
MY 13-YEAR-OLD son told me about a game (although I don’t think that is the right word for it) that he says some of the kids in his school are playing. Apparently it is called “the American dream”. Have you heard about it?
It involves trying to get yourself to faint because you get some kind of a buzz, but it sounds really dangerous to me. He claims he wasn’t playing it, but I guess he was trying me out to see what my reaction would be. I am really worried now that he is doing this. Any ideas about what I should do?
Yes, I have heard of the “game”, and I agree there is nothing game-like about it and I, too, believe it is very dangerous. I was doing some research about it recently and it really surprised me and frightened me.
In the most common version of the “game”, teenagers (and sometimes children) use a strap of some kind wrapped around their necks to temporarily cut blood flow to the head. One variation of the game involves holding your breath and getting punched in the chest until you black out.
Yet another version involves bending over and trying to induce hyperventilation by taking deep breaths followed by someone giving them a “bear hug”.
Regardless of the method, the goal is always the same – cut off your oxygen until you pass out. Asphyxiation like this produces an adrenaline rush and sensation of being high. It is often described as a “tingly” or “floating” feeling. A second high is produced when the pressure is released and oxygen rushes back to the brain.
It is estimated that as many as 20 per cent of teenagers and preteens play the game. Sometimes it is played in groups. Both girls and boys are equally likely to try it.
Part of the popularity of the American Dream is that the high doesn’t involve drugs, alcohol or other substances and so this makes it appealing to younger teenagers who may not yet have access to drugs, or who are still too wary of trying drugs.
The game has actually been around for years in one form or another, but it appears to be spreading. One theory is that the internet has made it easier to learn about the game. Many youngsters are not aware of the dangers involved and some youngsters have died as a result of choking to death. Nearly all of the deaths were among younger boys in the 11-13 year age group who tried the game alone.
The kinds of injuries that may result from the game include brain damage and heart attacks. Three minutes without oxygen is all it takes to do irreversible damage. Any activity that deprives the brain of oxygen has the potential to cause moderate to serious brain cell death leading to permanent loss of neurological function.
Problems can be minor, like a flushed face, headaches, bloodshot eyes, loss of concentration, slurred speech, agitation and aggression. There can also be major health problems – neuron-muscular problems, memory problems, coma, concussion, fractures, as well as permanent neurological disabilities such as seizures as a result of the deprivation of oxygen.
Occasionally this phenomenon is confused with self-harm. In the case of some of those deaths that are associated with it, it has also been confused with suicide. But actually the function of the choking is different and there is no desire to harm or kill yourself; just to a desire to get the “buzz”.
The name “The American Dream” may have emerged because the game, in so far as it is a game, seems to have developed in the US and transferred over here. In the US it is usually called “the choking game” but it is also known by numerous other names like the “pass-out game”, “space monkey”, “purple hazing”, “dream game” and others.
I think your intuition may be correct with regard to your son. I think he may already be nervous about “the American Dream” because he has tried it or because he might be coming under pressure to try it.
If you are at all worried, talk to him again and let him know that you could understand that he might be worried about it. Try to avoid accusing him of playing it. Because he is still comparatively young, the more knowledge you show the less likely it is that he will get involved. Also, if he believes he can’t keep it a secret from you, that too might deter him.
The key message to get across is the danger of death or serious brain damage that can occur from even one attempt. Even if someone has tried blacking out already, with no apparent long-term damage, doesn’t mean that they are less likely to suffer serious injury another time.
If the game is being played in his school then it might be worth informing the school authorities so that they can be alert and hopefully prevent it occurring there.
David Coleman is a clinical psychologist and broadcaster with RTÉ television. Contact info@firebrand.ie if you would like to take part in the next series of
Teens in the Wild
with David.
Readers’ queries are welcome and will be answered through the column, but David regrets he cannot enter into individual correspondence. Questions should be e-mailed to healthsupplement@irishtimes.com