Feigning a faint, also known as “playing possum” or “faking a swoon,” is the act of simulating a loss of consciousness for a variety of reasons, such as to escape an awkward situation, gain attention, or manipulate others. While it may seem like a harmless prank, faking a faint can have serious consequences, including injury to oneself or others, and should not be taken lightly.
There are many different ways to fake a faint, but some of the most common methods include: