Gambling Mental Health Problems

According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, problem gamblers are more likely than others to suffer from low self-esteem, develop stress-related disorders, to become anxious, have poor sleep and appetite, to develop a substance misuse problem and to suffer from depression. Gambling disorder involves repeated problematic gambling behavior that causes significant problems or distress. It is also called gambling addiction or compulsive gambling. For some people gambling becomes an addiction — the effects they get from gambling are similar to effects someone with alcoholism gets from alcohol.

1. Gambling Mental Health Problems Issues
2. Gambling Mental Health Problems Children
3. Mental Health Problems Caused By Gambling
4. Gambling Mental Health Problems Elderly
5. Gambling Mental Health Problems Assessment

How The State Of Your Mental Health Can Lead To Gambling

Gambling Mental Health Problems Issues

Many of us are only aware of how gambling may affect our mental health. Few of us understand how underlying disorders may lead to an addiction. Yes, your mental well-being can also influence your likelihood of frequenting casinos and related websites.

Being aware of this relationship can help us determine the signs of problem gambling earlier. Doing so will allow us to keep watch over our loved ones as well as ourselves.

Now, let’s discuss how our mental state can lead to problems with gambling.

Impulsivity Can Lead To Gambling

When someone is impulsive, they tend to act without thinking things through. It’s essentially “do now, think about the consequences later.” Instinct drives their behavior, and they often do so to gain pleasure or positive results. For instance, purchasing a cake when you only need to get essentials is an impulsive act.

However, impulsivity also frequently involves risky actions. Examples of such are running across the street without checking both sides, driving when drunk, and destroying property. Meanwhile, an example of an impulsive control disorder is Kleptomania, which is the uncontrollable urge to steal something.

Impulsivity characterizes numerous conditions, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Bipolar Disorder, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Those with such may be more likely to gamble and later develop an addiction to it.

Due to their ADHD, those with this condition may turn to card games and slot machines to deal with boredom. It’s because such acts satisfy their need for stimulation. A French study found out that, of the three symptoms of ADHD, impulsivity had the most substantial ties to excessive gambling.

As for bipolar disorder, manic phases are characteristically impulsive. During mania, individuals have disinhibited social behavior, higher self-confidence or grandiosity, and impaired judgment. They tend to have elated or extreme moods. All these factors can lead them to impulsively gambling.

Gambling As A Coping Mechanism

Similarly, people may also tend to gamble to cope with the difficulties they face. Those with mood disorders may find it challenging to deal with their emotions. In turn, they may use cards and betting to get by.

Depression, for example, isn’t only a product of gambling addiction. Gambling can be a new source of happiness for someone who has lost interest in their other hobbies and daily activities. But it can also be the cause of such a problem.

Winning at Blackjack or betting on the right horse can alleviate feelings of helplessness and extremely low self-esteem. It can provide instant gratification for someone who continually feels low.

Individuals may also gamble so that they can relieve stress. Instead of de-stressing through healthy methods such as exercising, journaling, or simply watching television, they choose to escape their problems by turning to the tables or the horses.

Moreover, having other harmful coping mechanisms can also lead to gambling addiction. For instance, researchers also link substance abuse to this problem. One reason is that drinking and gambling often happen at the same time. People like to enjoy alcohol as they play Poker and other games at the table.

Physical Factors In The Brain

With mental health disorders, there may still be an essential physical aspect. For example, while external factors may cause depression, it also has a biochemical component. While these chemicals are not the sole cause of mood disorders, they still play a significant role.

Nerve cell connections and growth, and nerve circuits can impact a person’s mental health. They are also involved when it comes to addictions, such as problem gambling. When someone wins at a game or places a bet, the brain’s rewards system releases dopamine.

A person who has depression is likely to turn to dopamine-inducing activities such as gambling, since they may experience low levels of this chemical. Such activities can thus have a cyclical pattern.

Summary

When we think about the relationship between gambling and mental health problems, we believe the former leads to the latter. However, it can also be the other way around. The challenges we face with our mental well-being can make us more likely to try to gamble. It can also set us on the path to addiction or problem gambling.

Impulsivity is a characteristic of conditions such as bipolar disorder and ADHD. Being impulsive could mean going to the casino and placing large bets without first thinking it through.

Gambling can also be a coping mechanism for those struggling with their mental health. Winning provides immediate happiness or gratification. It also gives individuals a sense of purpose or connection to others.

Mental health and gambling is indeed a cyclical pattern. We must reach out to our loved ones and seek professional help to break the cycle. Taking care of our mental well-being is also a way of avoiding gambling addiction’s slippery slope.

Problem gambling is defined as gambling that is disruptive or damaging to you or your family, or interferes with your daily life.Most people in the UK gambled or played the lottery in the last year- activities like playing the lottery once or twice a week aren’t harmful. However, for around 9 in 1000 people, gambling becomes a problem or an addiction.

Signs of problem gambling

If you think you might have a gambling problem, help is available.

To start, answer these 10 questions with ‘yes’ or ‘no’:

• Do you spend a lot of time thinking about gambling?
• Are you spending more money on gambling as time goes on?
• Have you ever tried to stop gambling, or cut down on or control your gambling, and not been able to?
• Do you get restless or irritable if you try to cut down on gambling?
• Do you gamble to escape from difficulties in your life, or to cheer yourself up?
• Do you keep playing after losing money to try to win it back – often called ‘chasing losses’?
• Have you lied to other people about how much time or money you’ve spent gambling, or how much you’ve lost?
• Have you ever stolen money to fund gambling?
• Has gambling affected your job, relationships, or home life?
• Do you ask other people to lend you money when you’ve lost money through gambling?

If you’ve answered yes:

• To 1 question – you might have a problem, and it would be a good idea to seek help.
• To 3 questions – gambling probably feels like it’s a problem, and you should seek help.
• To 5 or more questions – it’s likely gambling feels like it’s affecting every part of your life. You should get help as soon as possible.

Effects of problem gambling

While problem gambling itself doesn’t have physical symptoms, the negative effects can appear in many areas of life. These include:

• reduced quality of life – having less money or free time
• problems with your social life – avoiding seeing friends or going out
• physical illnesses caused by spending more time gambling and less time being active, as well as potentially drinking more alcohol
• financial problems – running up debts, and not having enough money for essentials
• relationship problems and conflict at home – this can include arguments with family and friends, or conflict with your partner about financial difficulties
• criminal activity – problem gambling doesn’t make you a criminal, but some people find themselves committing crimes to fund their gambling habit
• unemployment or difficulties at work – if you gamble at work, or miss work due to gambling, it can lead to issues at work and potentially unemployment

Even if you haven’t experienced any of these issues yet, if your gambling is becoming a problem it’s possible these negative effects will happen in the future. It’s important to be mindful of the impact gambling could have on you or your family.

How problem gambling happens

Some people seem to be more likely to develop a gambling problem than others.

Men tend to be more vulnerable to developing a gambling problem than women, likely becausewomen usually gamble less than men.

While a gambling problem can start at any age, people who start as teenagers or young adults can grow into problem gamblers. Children as young as 7 can struggle to control how much time they spend playing video and mobile games, many of which ask for micro-transactions and payments. Older people who feel isolated or bored can also be attracted to gambling.

People who work in casinos, betting shops or arcades can be more likely to develop a gambling habit.

Certain types of gambling can be more likely to lead to a problem than others:

• mobile or internet gambling – like betting or bingo websites and apps
• video poker
• roulette
• dice games
• the stock market
• playing sports for money

Engaging in these activities doesn't mean you have a problem with gambling, but it’s important to be aware that these types of gambling are particularly addictive.

Things that could make problem gambling more likely

There are some factors that can make a person more vulnerable to developing a gambling problem. These include:

• having a mental health condition
• having an alcohol or drug problem
• being in prison
• having a family member, particularly a parent, with a gambling addiction
• a gambling habit that started early – some people start gambling as young as 7 or 8
• having trouble controlling your gambling from the first time you did it, even if you don’t actually gamble very often

This doesn’t mean that everyone in these circumstances will develop a problem, but it’s important to be aware of the risk if gambling is something you do.

Self-help for problem gambling

If you feel your gambling has become a problem, there are steps you can take right away to start improving your situation.

1. Limit how much money you can spend gambling

Gambling Mental Health Problems Children

• Pay all your essential bills, like rent/mortgage, utilities, council tax, food, and childcare costs, as soon as you get paid.
• Set yourself a weekly limit on how much you’re willing to spend on gambling, and be sure to stick to it.
• If you go out to gamble, leave your debit and credit cards at home and only take cash, so you can’t spend more than planned.
• On gambling websites and apps, set a limit on your account so you can’t overspend.
• Talk to your bank about blocking certain websites or locations, like betting websites or casinos.
• UseGAMSTOPto block yourself from accessing online gambling sites and gambling apps. GAMSTOP doesn’t cover every site or app operating in the UK, but you can contact ones you use that aren’t signed up to this scheme and ask them to block you.

2. Reduce the time you spend gambling

• Set a limit on how often you gamble in a week. Be specific and name the days – for example: “I will only gamble on Tuesdays and Fridays.”
• Resist the temptation to open up gambling sites or apps for a ‘quick go’ or just to make one bet – it’s likely that you’ll find it hard to stick to just one.
• Set alarms or alerts on your phone, watch, or computer to remind you when it’s time to close the site or app and stop gambling for the day.

3. Don’t think of gambling as a way to make money

• Remind yourself frequently that gambling isn’t a way to make money – you’re paying for entertainment. It’s not an investment, and you’re not earning money by gambling.
• When you gamble, always prepare yourself to lose. Remind yourself that winning is by chance, and not something that happens more often than losing.
• Never spend money from savings or investments on gambling.
• Tell your friends and family not to lend you money if you ask.

4. Fill up your time with other things

• Spend more time with friends and family.
• Spend less time with people you know who gamble, or people you usually gamble with.
• Join clubs or social groups that don’t involve gambling – this could be a good time to take up a new hobby, or restart one you haven’t done for a while.
• Talk to friends and family about your situation and your concerns, rather than ‘bottling up’ your feelings.

For more self-help advice and tools, you can access resources on the GamCare website.

Mental Health Problems Caused By Gambling

Getting help with problem gambling

There are a lot of ways to access help with problem gambling. There's also support available if you have a loved one with a gambling problem.

Gamblers Anonymous Scotland has meetings every day, and is free to attend. The meetings are informal and friendly, and there are currently around 70 meetings held in Scotland every day. Gamblers Anonymous also has a 24-hour helpline you can phone on 0370 050 8881.

If you have a loved one with a gambling problem, support is available from Gam-Anon Scotland. The organisation has supportive, confidential meetings that are separate from Gamblers Anonymous meetings. You can also phone the Gam-Anon 24-hour helpline on 0370 050 8881.

GamCare provides information, advice and support for anyone affected by problem gambling. It operates the National Gambling Helpline, and provides treatment for problem gamblers and their families. You can phone the National Gambling Helpline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on 0808 8020 133.

If you’re looking for ways to stop yourself from gambling, GAMSTOP allows you to block your access to certain gambling websites and apps.

For advice on gambling as safely as possible, or help reporting a gambling business that’s breaking the law,visit the Gambling Commission website.

If you’re looking for help educating a young person about gambling, or need educational materials for a class or youth group, the Fast Forward Gambling Education Hub has a number of useful resources.

Gambling Mental Health Problems Elderly

You can also visit your local primary care team for support and information about resources in your local area. Visit Scotland’s Service Directory for information on services near you.

For other help and support, use Scotland's Service Directory to find counselling, mental wellbeing, and money advice services in your area.

Gambling Mental Health Problems Assessment

If you’re struggling with the impact gambling is having on your life, or the life of a loved one, phoneBreathing Spaceon 0800 83 85 87 for support and counselling. Breathing Space is open:

• Weekdays: Monday to Thursday 6pm to 2am
• Weekends: Friday 6pm to Monday 6am