Definition of gambling disorders (GD)
Persistent and recurrent problematic gambling behaviour
leading to clinically significant impairment or distress
- considered an addiction
9 Symptoms of GD
Need 4 or more in a year
- Gambles with an increasing amount of money to reach desired excitement
- Restless/irritable when wanting to cut down or stop
- Repeated (unsuccessful) efforts to control, cut back or stop gambling
- Preoccupied with gambling
- Feels distress when gambling
- Returns to get even after losing money
- Lies to conceal extent of involvement
- Jeopardized or lost (relationship, job or educational/career opp) b/c on gambling
- Relies on other’s money b/c of gambling
Behaviour not better explained by a manic episode
Severity of GD
Mild: 4-5 criteria met
Moderate: 6-7 criteria met
Severe: 8-9 criteria met
Prevalence of GD
~2%
- More in men than women
AOO of GD
~ 20s
Consequences of GD (stats)
- 14% experience job loss
- 19% declared bankruptcy
- 32% arrested
- 21% incarcerated
Ecological factors of GD
Increased availability & accessibility
Conditioning of GD
Arousal/excitement
- Experience subjective excitement as well as physiological arousal
Cognitive schemas
- Irrational beliefs, illusion of control
Becomes habitual
Chasing in GD
They chase wins, and lose more than expected, which can then become problematic (pathological gambling)
Internet gaming disorder
Impulsivity contributes to it
- meaning in life and self-esteem can be buffers to AI for highly impulsive individuals
