Pathological gambling
Definition
Pathological gambling is being unable to resist impulses to gamble, which can lead to severe personal or social consequences.
Alternative Names
Gambling - compulsive; Compulsive gambling; Addictive gambling
Causes
Pathological gambling usually begins in early adolescence in men, and between ages 20 and 40 in women.
Pathological gambling often involves repetitive behaviors. People with this problem have a hard time resisting or controlling the impulse to gamble. Although it shares features of obsessive compulsive disorder, pathological gambling is likely a different condition.
In people who develop pathological gambling, occasional gambling leads to a gambling habit. Stressful situations can worsen gambling problems.
References
Pathological Gambling (DSM-IV-TR #312.31). Moore DP, Jefferson JW, eds.Handbook of Medical Psychiatry. 2nd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2004:chap 132.
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