What are the symptoms of Problem Gambling? Is it Compulsive or Pathological? How can it be treated? The good news is that there are many options available. Problem gamblers can get help through marriage and family therapy. If you’re suffering from compulsive or pathological gambling, you may want to explore credit counseling as well. Problem gambling can have a negative impact on your relationships and finances. In addition to a medical diagnosis, you can get help for a psychological disorder as well.
Problem gambling
Problem gambling can have devastating effects on a person’s life. It can affect their loved ones, work, and relationships. It can also lead to failure to fulfill promises and responsibilities. While most treatment for problem gambling focuses on counseling and self-help, some may turn to medication. Regardless of the cause, seeking help is crucial. Here are some tips for dealing with problem gambling. Identifying and recognizing signs of problem gambling is the first step toward getting help.
Diagnostic terms for problem gambling have been debated for many years. Previously, it was referred to as pathological gambling, compulsive gambling, or gambling addiction. Increasing amounts of money are required to achieve the same level of excitement, and people suffering from this condition frequently fail to stop gambling. Further, they may experience other symptoms, including anxiety or depression. These symptoms may indicate that problem gambling is a major cause of stress and depression.
Compulsive gambling
Compulsive gambling is a mental disorder characterized by the chronic inability to resist urges to gamble. Compulsive gamblers often lose control over their finances and may use their savings and debt to fund their obsessions. In addition to gambling, compulsive gamblers may also resort to illegal means of obtaining money, including the use of fraudulent insurance claims and bad checks. These behaviors may lead to other serious consequences, such as the misuse of public funds and even criminal behavior.
Self-help groups can be an important component of treatment for compulsive gamblers. Psychiatrists and health care providers can recommend a group that can help those with the disorder. Self-help groups include Gamblers Anonymous. Treatment for compulsive gambling may also include behavioral therapy, structured internet-based programs, and telephone sessions with mental health professionals. If behavioral therapy does not work, medications, mood stabilizers, and narcotic antagonists may be prescribed.
Pathological gambling
A person who engages in pathological gambling may have other mental or emotional conditions that contribute to this behavior. These conditions can be similar to many impulse control disorders such as pyromania, kleptomania, and trichotillomania. Some pathological gamblers may also suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or anxiety disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder. In addition, pathological gamblers may also be affected by bipolar disorder.
The DSM-IV currently lists 10 criteria for pathological gambling. However, statistical analyses have found that each of these criteria is related to a single underlying construct. Additionally, there is a criterion related to committing illegal acts to finance gambling, but this criterion contributes minimally to the accuracy of the classification. This criterion may be removed from the DSM-V. This is because it is difficult to determine the exact risk factors associated with pathological gambling, and it is not possible to separate these conditions by family history.
Treatment
Although the treatment of pathological gambling for men is less common than for women, it can still be effective. Studies show that those who undergo pathological gambling counseling tend to achieve better long-term outcomes than those who undergo brief advice alone. Self-help interventions, such as self-guided workbooks and counseling sessions, may help people to manage their gambling problems. Self-help interventions are sometimes accompanied by planned support from trained professionals, such as a psychiatrist.
Individual therapy is one of the most important aspects of treatment. This helps clients to address underlying issues and develop new habits that will help them avoid relapsing into old patterns. Group therapy may be used as well. These sessions provide an opportunity to connect with other people who are facing the same issues and gain insight from their experiences. Psychiatric medication is also a common part of treatment for people who have co-occurring disorders.
