Bipolar-Depression-Gambling-Research

Bipolar

Bipolar Disorder and Gambling: a Dangerous Combination

Erratic behaviors and substance abuse are commonly associated with bipolar disorder. Now a report from Canadian researchers links bipolar disorder with another potentially harmful behavior - gambling. Bipolar Depression.
बैपोलर डिप्रेशन, बैपोलर मूड, मनिया
Bipolar Depression is a psychiatric illness characterised by extreme swings in mood from high (mania) to lows (depression).


The condition affects roughly 5.7 million American adults, or about 2.6 percent of the U.S. population aged 18 years or older, according to the National Institutes of Mental Health. It is the sixth leading cause of disability worldwide.

Extreme behavioral changes are a defining aspect of bipolar disorder. During manic episodes, you may make rash, impulsive decisions and exercise poor judgment. While in a depressive period, you may have reduced motivation or feel low. Either extreme may cause a person with bipolar disorder to engage in risk-taking and possibly addictive behaviors, such as gambling.

Problem gambling is a pattern of gambling behavior that is disruptive, excessive or destructive, but ,doesn't rise to a more severe level defined by experts as"pathological" or "compulsive."

However, any level of gambling addiction can lead to increased financial and emotional stress.

The researchers compared the rates of problem gambling among people with bipolar disorder, major depression patients and the general population. The results indicate similar problem gambling rates in the general population (2 percent) and people with major depression (2.5 percent). However, patients with bipolar disorder have significantly higher occurrence (6.3 percent).
Low education level and
alcohol or drug dependence
among patients with bipolar disorder are also highly associated with problem gambling.

Another study also found links between bipolar disorder and problem gambling, but that study examined behavior only in relation to patients' manic periods. The researchers suggest further research into more complete therapies for bipolar disorder that take into account gambling and other addictive behaviors such as alcohol abuse.

Some signs to help recognize problem gambling include:

• Preoccupation with reliving past gambling experiences or planning future gambling
• Making increasing bets to maintain excitement
• Gambling as an escape from problems, depression or anxiety
• Gambling longer than planned
• Gambling until your last dollar is gone
• Losing sleep due to thoughts of gambling
• Using money to gamble instead of paying bills
• Repeatedly trying, but failing to stop gambling
• Lying to others about gambling behavior
• Has risked or lost a job, relationship or opportunity due to gambling
• Breaking the law to pay for gambling
• Borrowing money to pay for gambling
• Feeling depressed or suicidal due to gambling behavior
• Gambling to win money to pay debts or recover previous losses

One or two of the signs do not necessarily indicate a problem with gambling. However, a person who has several signs of problem gambling needs help. Without help, problem gambling can lead to destructive acts, ruining the gambler's life and affecting family and friends.
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