Gambling Disorders – What is Gambling?
Gambling is sort of like Marmite; it divides people – not least governments who try to regulate and control the industry. Some argue that gambling should be made illegal, while others say that as long as it is done within regulated parameters and isn’t used to fund organised crime or other criminal activities, then it can add value to society. The truth is, of course, that it can’t be stopped completely, so we might as well embrace it and use it responsibly.
The term disordered gambling reflects the wide range of problem behaviors that exist, from those that place individuals at risk for developing more serious problems (subclinical) to those that meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition criteria for pathological gambling (PG). It is estimated that between 0.4%-1.6% of Americans meet criteria for PG, and the disorder is more common in men than women. PG often starts during adolescence or young adulthood and continues throughout life.
While gambling takes many forms, it is generally defined as any wagering on an event with the potential for a prize win. The event could be a sporting contest, a game of cards or even a lottery. People gamble with money or items of value, but also with non-monetary materials, such as marbles and collectible card games such as Magic: The Gathering or Pogs. The stakes of the gambling activity are based on a number of different factors, including how much is at risk, the chance of winning and the value of the prize.
Typically, gambling involves a high degree of risk and the probability of winning is based on random chance. As such, it is possible to lose everything if you don’t take care. This is why it’s important to set limits in advance. Only gamble with money that you can afford to lose and never spend more than your weekly entertainment budget. It is also helpful to seek treatment for any underlying mood disorders such as depression or anxiety, which can trigger gambling problems and make them worse.
While there are no medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat a gambling disorder, psychotherapy can help. Psychotherapy is a general term for several treatment techniques that aim to change unhealthy emotions, thoughts and behaviors. It is typically conducted with a licensed mental health professional such as a psychologist or clinical social worker. The most effective strategies are usually those that focus on changing negative thought patterns and identifying healthy ways to relieve unpleasant feelings. Some of these include exercise, spending time with friends who don’t gamble, and practicing relaxation techniques. Managing money and credit issues can also be extremely helpful.
Gambling is sort of like Marmite; it divides people – not least governments who try to regulate and control the industry. Some argue that gambling should be made illegal, while others say that as long as it is done within regulated parameters and isn’t used to fund organised crime or other criminal activities, then it can add value to society. The truth is, of course, that it can’t be stopped completely, so we might as well embrace it and use it responsibly. The term disordered gambling reflects the wide range of problem behaviors that exist, from those that place individuals at risk for developing more serious problems (subclinical) to those that meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition criteria for pathological gambling (PG). It is estimated that between 0.4%-1.6% of Americans meet criteria for PG, and the disorder is more common in men than women. PG often starts during adolescence or young adulthood and continues throughout life. While gambling takes many forms, it is generally defined as any wagering on an event with the potential for a prize win. The event could be a sporting contest, a game of cards or even a lottery. People gamble with money or items of value, but also with non-monetary materials, such as marbles and collectible card games such as Magic: The Gathering or Pogs. The stakes of the gambling activity are based on a number of different factors, including how much is at risk, the chance of winning and the value of the prize. Typically, gambling involves a high degree of risk and the probability of winning is based on random chance. As such, it is possible to lose everything if you don’t take care. This is why it’s important to set limits in advance. Only gamble with money that you can afford to lose and never spend more than your weekly entertainment budget. It is also helpful to seek treatment for any underlying mood disorders such as depression or anxiety, which can trigger gambling problems and make them worse. While there are no medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat a gambling disorder, psychotherapy can help. Psychotherapy is a general term for several treatment techniques that aim to change unhealthy emotions, thoughts and behaviors. It is typically conducted with a licensed mental health professional such as a psychologist or clinical social worker. The most effective strategies are usually those that focus on changing negative thought patterns and identifying healthy ways to relieve unpleasant feelings. Some of these include exercise, spending time with friends who don’t gamble, and practicing relaxation techniques. Managing money and credit issues can also be extremely helpful.