The pathological game or pathological gambling is characterized by a maladaptive, recurrent and persistent behavior that alters personal, family or professional life. The DSM-IV-TR includes it within the category of impulse control disorders not classified in other sections, being its essential characteristic, the difficulty to resist an impulse, motivation or temptation to carry out an act harmful to oneself or for everyone else;
What causes Lodopathy?
When talking about the causes that lead a person to suffer from pathological gambling, we can not refer to only one. Generally, cases of pathological gambling are caused by different risk factors. In our experience based on multiple cases of pathological gambling, we can say that the root of the problem is a combination of factors that range from the social, biological, educational and inherent problems of the person’s own personality.
Factors that lead to Lodopathy:
- Problems of communication within the family.
- Historical of relatives with pathologies of lodopathy or another addiction.
- Have started betting at an early age.
- Patrons of spending and poor financial education.
- Depression and anxiety
- Consumption of alcoholic beverages
- Disabilities of personality
Who is affected by pathological gambling?
Although gambling affects men and women, undoubtedly the most affected by this condition are men who are in their 30’s and have good financial income. Generally, men begin with gambling in their adolescence, developing their gambling addiction at a later age. On the other hand, women tend to develop this behavior when they reach middle age.
Characteristics of a Ludópata (Addict to the Game and Bets)
- Concern about the game (eg, concern about reliving past game experiences, compensating advantages among competitors or planning the next adventure, or thinking about ways to get money to play with).
- Need to play with increasing amounts of money to achieve the desired degree of excitement.
- Repeated failure of efforts to control, interrupt or stop the game.
- Restlessness or irritability when trying to interrupt or stop the game.
- The game is used as a strategy to escape problems or to alleviate dysphoria (eg, feeling of hopelessness, guilt, anxiety, depression).
- After losing money in the game, it becomes another day to try to recover it (trying to “hunt” the losses themselves).
- Family members, therapists or other people are deceived to hide the degree of involvement with the game.
- Illegal acts, such as forgery, fraud, theft or abuse of trust, are committed to financing the game.
- They have risked or lost significant interpersonal relationships, work and educational or professional opportunities due to gambling.
- It is hoped that others will provide money to alleviate the desperate financial situation caused by the game.
“The recommended treatment is low internment, with cognitive behavioral therapies, group and individual therapies, Twelve Step self-help group and therapeutic communities, as well as training in social skills, stress management and raising self esteem. For the treatment to be more effective, the therapeutic objective focuses on the change in lifestyle and the active participation of the family during the recovery process.”
