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The American Psychological Association has established 10 diagnostic criteria for pathological gambling. If a person meets five or more of these criteria, they can be diagnosed with pathological gambling:
Frequently thinking about gambling-related matters, reminiscing about past gambling experiences, or planning the next gambling session.
Needing to increase the stakes continuously to feel excitement.
Repeated attempts to quit or reduce gambling are unsuccessful.
Feeling restless or irritable when attempting to stop or cut down on gambling.
Using gambling as a way to escape problems or alleviate negative emotions (e.g., guilt, anxiety, depression).
Trying various methods to recoup losses after losing money.
Lying to family members or others to conceal the extent of the gambling habit.
Resorting to illegal means to obtain money for gambling.
Experiencing weakened or lost significant interpersonal relationships due to gambling, and even missing out on job, education, or career opportunities.
Deceptively obtaining money in various ways to alleviate financial difficulties caused by gambling.
To determine if you may be a pathological gambler, consider the following 10 questions:
Have you ever gambled for longer than you had planned?
Have you ever gambled until you were penniless?
Have you ever experienced insomnia due to gambling?
Have you ever been unable to pay bills because you used your salary and savings for gambling?
Have you attempted to quit gambling without success?
Have you considered breaking the law to obtain funds for gambling?
Have you borrowed money from others to fund your gambling?
Have you experienced feelings of depression or suicidal thoughts due to losing money from gambling?
Have you felt regret after gambling?
Have you used gambling to address financial problems?
How did you answer? If you answered "yes" to three or more questions, be cautious! You may be a pathological gambler! Take the self-assessment seriously. |
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