Symptoms of Gambling Disorder

Whether you gamble occasionally or on a daily basis, it’s important to think about the risks involved. Excessive gambling can cause relationship, financial, and mental health problems. It also can lead to legal and other problems.

Symptoms of gambling disorder can occur at any age. If you are experiencing gambling-related problems, you should consult a medical professional. A diagnosis can be made based on the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), published by the American Psychiatric Association.

Gambling is a form of chance that involves wagering something of value on a random event. A person who predicts the outcome correctly wins money or something of similar value.

The first known evidence of gambling comes from ancient China. Tiles were used in a rudimentary game of chance that was played around 2,300 B.C. In the early 20th century, most jurisdictions largely outlawed gambling. However, state-operated lotteries grew rapidly during the latter part of the century in the United States and Europe.

Symptoms of gambling disorder begin in adolescence and may persist into adulthood. For children, the problem can result in loss of school or family relationships. In addition, adolescent pathological gamblers might spend pocket money, skip school, lie about their gambling, or miss work.

Adult pathological gamblers might also miss work to gamble, spend their paycheck on gambling, or steal from their families. This can also lead to legal or mental health issues.

There are several different types of therapy for treating gambling disorders. These include family therapy, group therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and psychodynamic therapy. These therapies can help solve the problem by teaching you how to stop gambling.