How to Tell if Someone Pretended to Faint

Last Updated: December 23, 2023

Some people have fainted for real before - but just how can you tell if someone has pretended to faint, or really fainted? Here is how.

Steps

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8b\/Tell-if-Someone-Pretended-to-Faint-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-Someone-Pretended-to-Faint-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8b\/Tell-if-Someone-Pretended-to-Faint-Step-1.jpg\/aid3095036-v4-728px-Tell-if-Someone-Pretended-to-Faint-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

When you faint, your body doesn't have enough strength to bend its knees, so if the person fainting bends their knees, you can be pretty sure they are a faker.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/20\/Tell-if-Someone-Pretended-to-Faint-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-Someone-Pretended-to-Faint-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/20\/Tell-if-Someone-Pretended-to-Faint-Step-2.jpg\/aid3095036-v4-728px-Tell-if-Someone-Pretended-to-Faint-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

A regular fall wouldn't do this, since if they don't have enough strength to bend their knees, they wouldn't be able to move their hands.

Advertisement
3
Call the emergency services quickly. The emergency services will occasionally take them to the hospital and tell you whether or not they really fainted.
- This is a great way to catch the faker. If someone faints and you suspect they are a faker, say to everybody in the area that you are calling emergency services for them. This may spark a quick recovery.
  
  {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fa\/Tell-if-Someone-Pretended-to-Faint-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-Someone-Pretended-to-Faint-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fa\/Tell-if-Someone-Pretended-to-Faint-Step-3.jpg\/aid3095036-v4-728px-Tell-if-Someone-Pretended-to-Faint-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
4
Have the doctor see if their bones are broken. If they are broken, this means the faint was all real.
- The reason for this is that someone pretending to faint may have actually broken their bones, but they would usually be in too much pain to keep up their act.
  
  {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/70\/Tell-if-Someone-Pretended-to-Faint-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-Someone-Pretended-to-Faint-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/70\/Tell-if-Someone-Pretended-to-Faint-Step-4.jpg\/aid3095036-v4-728px-Tell-if-Someone-Pretended-to-Faint-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b6\/Tell-if-Someone-Pretended-to-Faint-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-Someone-Pretended-to-Faint-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b6\/Tell-if-Someone-Pretended-to-Faint-Step-5.jpg\/aid3095036-v4-728px-Tell-if-Someone-Pretended-to-Faint-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

If they think for a couple of seconds, they did indeed fake it. If they restate the question or don't use contractions when talking (ex: didn't, won't, aren't, etc.), they are probably faking as well.

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

The doctor will be the one with the real answer, so it's best to ask him or her.

Thanks
Helpful 4 Not Helpful 0
If they immediately fess up when you say you're calling the emergency services, don't actually make the call. You don't want to land in jail.

Thanks
Helpful 4 Not Helpful 1

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

If you really can't tell the difference, just wait for the doctors to come. It's better to be safe than sorry when dealing with something this serious.

Thanks
Helpful 12 Not Helpful 0

Log in

How to Tell if Someone Pretended to Faint

Steps

Expert Q&A

Tips

Warnings

You Might Also Like

About This Article

Did this article help you?

About This Article

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Explore Categories