Correlation of Pathological Gambling & Mood Disorders

Pathological gambling is a type of addiction that occurs when a person has little or no control over his gambling habits and his behavior has a negative effect on his relationships, job, mental health and other aspects of his life. Research has suggested a strong correlation between the appearance of gambling addiction and certain types of mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder.

Identification

• People more prone to pathological gambling commonly exhibit characteristics of impulsiveness and emotional vulnerability, according to a 2008 article featured by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

Warning

• People with a gambling addiction are not only 76 percent more likely to have a co-morbid mood disorder, but also much more likely to suffer from alcohol addiction.

Prevention/Solution

• Certain types of therapy--such as psychotherapy, aversion therapy or family therapy--often can be effective in helping a person overcome both pathological gambling and mood disorders.

Theories/Speculation

• Mood disorders do not necessarily cause a gambling addiction, nor vice versa. However, depending on the individual, a mood disorder such as bipolar can make someone more prone to addictive behavior, or a person's gambling addiction and subsequent damage to her life could lead to feelings of depression.

Potential

• Researchers hope to continue to study the correlation between gambling and mood disorders to better understand their relationship, especially for those already diagnosed with a mood disorder.