Compulsive Gambler

Are You A Compulsive Gambler?

Introduction

If you feel your gambling starts to control you and you loose more money than you can afford, your gambling habits may have gotten somewhat out of control. You may feel stupid but rest assure: you are not. Gambling is an addiction. Just like drugs, smoking and drinking alcohol.

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has published a manual wherein all known psychological disorders are recorded. This Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – Fourth Edition – Text Revision is better known by its acronym DSM-IV-TR. This manual is used worldwide by therapists to diagnose psychological disorders.

The manual list a number of criteria for every psychological disorder. These criteria must be met before a psychologist can successfully diagnose his or her patient with a disorder.

In the DSM-IV-TR compulsive gambling is known as pathological gambling.

The DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria for Pathological Gambling are:

• A. Persistent and recurrent maladaptive gambling behavior as indicated by five (or more) of the following:

1. is preoccupied with gambling (e.g., preoccupied with reliving past gambling experiences, handicapping or planning the next venture, or thinking of ways to get money with which to gamble)
2. needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement
3. has repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling
4. is restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling
5. gambles as a way of escaping from problems or of relieving a dysphoric mood (e.g., feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, depression)
6. after losing money gambling, often returns another day in order to get even ("chasing" one's losses)
7. lies to family members, therapist, or others to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling
8. has committed illegal acts, such as forgery, fraud, theft, or embezzlement, in order to finance gambling
9. has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of gambling
10. relies on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling

• B. The gambling behaviour is not better accounted for by a Manic Episode.

Associated features may include:

Distortions in thinking (e.g., denial, superstitions, overconfidence, or a sense of power and control) may be present in individuals with Pathological Gambling. Many individuals with Pathological Gambling believe that money is both the cause of and the solution to all their problems. Individuals with Pathological Gambling are frequently highly competitive, energetic, restless, and easily bored. They may be overly concerned with the approval of others and may be generous to the point of extravagance. When not gambling, they may be workaholics or “binge” workers who wait until they are up against deadlines before really working hard. Most of the above associated features are also present in patients with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Please get help

If you feel you may fit within the description and criteria mentioned above, please don’t hesitate to ask for help. There always are people who love you or really care for your wellbeing who are willing to assist you in combating your addiction.

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