Causes and risk factors
Exact cause of compulsive gambling is not known. Heredity, environment, past events in one’s life, neurotransmitter imbalance in the brain can be possible causes. Risk factors for compulsive gambling are Young adults under the age of 30, history of mental illness in the family, past history of mental disorder, excessive mental stress, escape from loneliness, anxiety, depression, helplessness, demoralisation, divorce, .
Clinical presentation
Patient with this disorder shows features like taking time from work or family life to gamble, concealing or lying about gambling, feeling guilt or remorse after gambling, borrowing money or stealing to gamble, failed efforts to cut back on gambling, gaining a thrill from taking big gambling risks, taking increasingly bigger gambling risks, preoccupation with gambling, reliving past gambling experiences, gambling as a way to escape problems or feelings of helplessness, guilt or depression. The patient goes through four phases – winning, losing, desperation and helplessness. Winning phase consists of frequent winning in gambling, bragging about the win, increasing amount of gambling. Losing phase consists of borrowing money, lying, personal changes like irritability, depression etc. Desperation phase consists of illegal or immoral acts; robbery etc. Helplessness phase consists of depression, divorce, suicidal thoughts, emotional breakdown, arrests.
Investigation
Medical history by the patient and psychological evaluation by the psychiatrist or psychotherapist helps in diagnosis. Presence of above mentioned symptoms is helpful in diagnosing the condition.
Treatment
Main treatment consists of Psychotherapy and counselling which involves cognitive behavioural therapy. Individual and family therapy may be required. Increasing social involvement and social interaction, spending quality time with family and friends will also help in managing the disease. Further treatment consists of medications such as anti depressants, anti anxiety drugs which contribute further to the treatment.
Other Modes of treatment
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating compulsive gambling. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms. Similarly the ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbal medicines and synthetic derivates are also found to be effective in treating compulsive gambling.
