Some people get so addicted to gambling that they can’t stop.
As a result, they lose huge amounts of money. In addition, they get into debt and cheat their loved ones to pay for them. This behavior is one of the signs of ludomania. In issue 68 of the Mental Health Guide, we explain what it is.
Gambling addiction is called ludomania. It manifests itself in a constant, uncontrollable desire to gamble that is bad for one’s financial situation, job, and relationships with loved ones.
Another important characteristic of this person is that he or she only cares about the result. On the other hand, people who play computer games are usually focused on the process.
In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, a classification of mental illnesses that psychiatrists and psychotherapists around the world are guided by, ludomania is the only behavioral addiction officially included in this classification.
Up to 96% of people with ludomania suffer from another mental disorder, such as depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, or substance dependence.
They identify nine main symptoms of this condition:
- reluctance to increase the bet to continue to enjoy gambling
- Multiple unsuccessful attempts to quit gambling or at least gamble less often.
- Constant thoughts about gambling, such as planning the next one or looking for a place to invest.
- Withdrawal syndrome is poorly controlled anxiety and irritability that occurs when trying to quit gambling.
- a strong desire to gamble immediately when you feel anxious, sad, guilty, or helpless.
- The urge to take revenge after losing at the same place where you lost the game. This is called “victory hunting.”
- Lying about one’s gambling behavior to family and others.
- An inner drive to satisfy gambling needs by jeopardizing important relationships, jobs, careers, and education.
- A tendency to frequently ask, and sometimes even demand, money from people to gamble.
Ludomania can be temporary or permanent. In the first case, the symptoms of the disorder may disappear over a long period of time, while in the second case, the symptoms remain constant. Ludomania is categorized into three degrees depending on how many there are. If a person has four or five symptoms out of nine, it means that they have mild ludomania. If the symptoms are six to seven, it’s medium. And if it’s 8 to 9, it’s severe addiction.
