Self-asphyxial behaviour in adolescents

Abstract

Risk-taking in adolescence is common. But while some risky behaviours, such as substance misuse and unprotected sex, are well known and researched, others are under-reported. Self-asphyxial behaviour, known more commonly by names such as the choking game or blackout game, is one such trend. Described as self-strangulation or strangulation by another person with hands or a noose to achieve a brief euphoric state from cerebral hypoxia, self-asphyxial behaviour can be misclassified as suicide in health or forensic reports.