Gambling, Motivations, and Hard Times

James Keefer MS LPC NCGC604 Wilson Street

Martinsburg, West Virginia 25401

ALL THINGS IN MODERATION

I Pathological Gambling◦1 Preoccupied with gambling◦2 Tolerance◦3 Repeated unsuccessful attempts to control, cut back or stop gambling

◦4 Restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling

◦5 Gambles as a way of escaping from problems or relieving dysphoric mood

◦6 Chasing losses CONT’D

DIAGNOSTIC AND STATISTICAL MANUAL DSM IV 2000

◦7 Lies to family members, therapists about gambling

◦8 Has committed illegal acts such as forgery, fraud, theft, or embezzlement to finance gambling

◦9 Has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, or educational career opportunity because of gambling

◦10 Relies on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling

DSM IV-TR

Shadow Syndromes

and Comorbidity

There are over 300 different manifestations of mental illness (Medical News Today, 2004).

Each disorder has a number of criteria that an individual has to have to receive that diagnosis.

The diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder lists 6 criteria, but you need a minimum of 3 symptoms for the diagnosis.

Definitions – Shadow Syndromes and Comorbidity

SITUATION - An individual with a Pathological Gambling Diagnosis, that also has 3 or more of the criteria for GAD, could have a dual diagnosis, also known as (aka) comorbid diagnosis.

• If they have less than 3 symptoms it might represent a shadow syndrome (Boudreadu & Shaffer, 2009).

[see next page for visual example].

Definitions – Shadow Syndromes and Comorbidity con’

Symptoms GAD: Restlessness Easily fatigued Difficulty concentrating Irritability Muscle tension Sleep disturbances (American Psychiatric Association, 2003)

Definitions – Shadow Syndromes and Comorbidity con’

What would happen if…?

Definitions – Shadow Syndromes and Comorbidity con’ d

+GA + +

+ -Bipolar-Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder-Dissociative Disorder

Caution – We are still under construction – where do we go from here?

Indecision may or may not be my problem. (Jimmy Buffett, nd.)

Diagnoses are important and helpful in

Understanding the range of behavioral

influences.

However, they are somewhat artificial and

sometimes we just don’t know what is

going on! We sometimes fly by the seat

of our pants.

Tell me why I gamble and then I will stop.

?

Motivations to gamble

Theories of Addiction

Brain Reward Dopaminergic System Frequently similar to theories of drug and alcohol theories

Emotions,beliefs.

behaviors

Negative

Positive

InternalLocus ofControl

ExternalLocus ofControl

Neutral

Ownership of theproblemTo be humbledFlexibilityPersonal choiceBy facing weaknessesYou find your Strength

Life'sproblems,good times,and goals!

Life'sproblems,good times,and goals!

Faulty attributionsBlamingRationalizingBeyond my reach-victimDenialGive your strength away

Locus of Control

References Brainy Quote. (2012) Indecision quotes. Retrieved from: http://www.brainyquote.com

Medical News Today. (2004). How many mental disorders are there? Retrieved from: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com