Lecture 8 - Gambling Disorder Flashcards
What is gambling defined as?
Risking something of value in return for a higher reward, through events that are determined by chance.
What is the distinction between problem gambling and a gambling disorder?
Problem gambling is excessive gambling that has social/personal harm while GD is meeting DSM-5 criteria.
What is the life trajectory of gambling disorders?
Peaks in adolescences (3-15%) due to riskier behaviour taking at this time but drops off in adulthood (1-2%).
What is GD comorbid with? Does it precede or follow these disorders?
Alcohol-use disorders, and anxiety/mood disorders. Usually precedes development of other disorders.
What is the early winning phase?
Many experience a large win, which leads to errors in cognition. Frequency and intensity of gambling increases, which has a strong effect on mood.
What is the losing phase?
Individual becomes so pre-occupied with gambling that they begin to chase losses (attempt to breakeven) -> increase in stress, irritability and withdrawal.
What is the desperation phase?
Efforts to survive financially and psychologically become extreme, leading to criminal activities and relationship manipulation.
How does conditioning impact gambling?
Operant conditioning: intermittent and variable reinforcement schedules (randomly rewarded) -> resistant to extinction.
Classical conditioning: neutral stimuli become associated with physiological arousal and excitement.
Describe the behaviourally conditioned gambler.
Initially triggered by big wins without premorbid conditions; ‘learned’ wins. More likely to associate themselves with being lucky or better than the machine, etc.
Describe the emotionally vulnerable problem gambler.
Gambling is a coping mechanism for other premorbid conditions (disorders, family life, etc.). Negative reinforcement is involved as it is escapism -> disassociation between reality.
Describe the antisocial, impulsivist gambler.
Some kind of neurological dysfunction, which makes it less likely to respond to intervention (or to seek treatment). Poor impulse control, which is distressing. Attention deficits which can be traced to childhood. Does not recognise consequences.
