Problem gambling is a problem that can have negative social, psychological, and physical consequences. Problem gambling is a condition classified as impulse control disorder. A person who cannot stop gambling is likely to develop physical ailments such as abdominal disorders, migraine, and distress. The psychological and social implications of gambling addiction are numerous and can lead to attempts at suicide. This article discusses some of the common consequences of problem gambling and the various ways to treat it. Getting help for a gambling problem can help you improve your quality of life.
In establishing a diagnosis of pathological gambling, psychologists use a continuum of severity to distinguish between the various stages of this condition. A person may be in one stage of the disorder while still functioning in society. Then, they may move upward and develop more severe difficulties. This approach suggests that pathological gambling is a multi-dimensional disorder, rather than a linear progression of symptoms. To assess if a person has a gambling disorder, scientists must work through a rigorous process that considers multiple criterion and the degree of severity of the condition.
The nomenclature of pathological gambling must reflect the perspectives of individuals with a gambling problem. Historically, pathological gamblers were regarded as simply “gamblers with a problem” – a label that referred to the behavior rather than a real problem. However, it is now recognized as a psychological disorder. As such, the DSM-IV has been developed to describe pathological data hk gambling.