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Pathological gambling - Overview

Alternative Names

Gambling - compulsive; Compulsive gambling; Addictive gambling

Definition of Pathological gambling:

Pathological gambling is being unable to resist impulses to gamble, which can lead to severe personal or social consequences.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

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.

Reviewed last on: 5/26/2008
Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathyophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Timothy A. Rogge, MD, private practice in Psychiatry, Kirkland, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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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