Gambling Problems

Whether it’s betting on a football team or buying a scratchcard, gambling involves risking something of value (money or possessions) for the chance to win a prize. In many cases, the prize is a larger amount of money. Gambling can also involve activities requiring skill.

A number of people have trouble controlling their urges to gamble. Those with gambling problems may try to conceal their behavior, lie to others, or even steal to fund their habit. In addition, many gamblers experience depression, anxiety, or other mood disorders. These conditions can trigger or make worse gambling problems and should be treated by a healthcare professional.

People can lose a lot of money, especially when they spend time gambling and are not paying attention to other life events. It is important to balance gambling with other enjoyable activities and not gamble with money that you need for essentials such as rent or bills. Keeping a record of how much you spend is a good way to keep track of your spending and to know when you have reached your limit. Avoid chasing lost money, as the more you bet in an attempt to recoup losses, the greater your losses will be.

While there is no evidence that pathological gambling progresses in a predictable fashion, some observers believe that individuals can be located on a continuum of problem severity. Some observers believe that this continuum reflects the underlying concept of behavioral disinhibition, and that people who have difficulty controlling their impulses to gamble are more likely to experience a range of other psychiatric disorders such as impulsiveness, sensation-seeking, and cognitive distortions.