Gambling Can Be Harmful to Your Mental Health
By Milica Kostic
“Life’s a risk.”
We hear this assertion so very often it’s now an accepted truth. Or maybe it’s the other way around and we hear it so often because it is the truth. Whatever the case, everything we do in our lives does come at a risk. At any point, things can go horribly wrong – or turn out just fine.
There is undoubtedly something exciting about uncertain outcomes. It’s thrilling to keep an eye on the consequences of events and speculate. Maybe that explains why gambling has always been so popular in human societies.
Gambling has been incorporated into many aspects of our daily lives, from movies to sports to finance. But, like everything else, it is only enjoyable when done in moderation. Otherwise, it can cause very serious problems. These are not limited to losing the money you cannot afford to lose.
Gambling can be harmful to your mental health. This is especially so during a pandemic like this one. With so many people find themselves unable to pursue their more benign habits, simply going out of the house and spending time in close contact with other people is essential.
Gambling Can Become Compulsive
Compulsive gambling means that you cannot normally function without regularly participating in gambling. There is an unbeatable desire to keep gambling – no matter the consequences.
What happens to your brain in those moments? Compulsive gambling occurs when there has been an interference in the brain’s reward system, causing an addiction. The affected individual cannot do without placing a bet, even though they risk their own and the property of their family members.
This compulsive disorder can then open the door for other kinds of problematic behaviour, such as substance abuse or theft. Under the burden of compulsive gambling, a person is likely to become less self-aware, which leads to deterioration of their wellbeing.
Gambling Can Cause Psychological and Emotional Damage
Gambling can have a huge impact on a person’s emotional wellbeing. It is an activity that relies heavily on emotions; this is why it can quickly leave you addicted to both the thrill of anticipation and the exhilaration of winning. But in the long run, anyone who gambles is bound to experience losses far more frequently than wins. Otherwise, this activity would just not be that lucrative a business for casino operators as it is.
With the incessant losses and financial difficulties arising from too much gambling, feelings of anxiety, helplessness, depression, and guilt may consume the gambler. Research has established a link between problem gambling and suicide. Many people knee-deep in troubles that arise from this don’t see a way out, and begin to despair.
The statistics are shocking – the UK Gambling Commission reports that one out of every five persons suffering from addictive gambling considers the possibility of suicide. This activity eats more than a person’s finances; it corrodes your self-confidence.
Gambling Destroys Relationships
The negative aspects of gambling do not just affect the gambler, but also the people who matter to them. It is regarded as one of the most destructive behaviour patterns that affect an individual’s relations with others. Interactions become scarce, impatient, and agitated, and relationships strained.
Most times it happens because the activity takes up so much of the gambler’s time. No time for the people you love equals failed relationships. In extreme cases, most interactions with family and friends dwindle till they die off completely.
The potential negative influence of gambling on an individual’s mental health should not be underestimated. Should you or anyone you know begin to exhibit signs of compulsive gambling, it is important that you seek help. Addiction can be overcome. You are not alone in your struggle – in these trying times affecting the entire population, under lockdown, it is on the rise.
It is highly important we do our best to prevent the state of turmoil caused by problem gambling. Don’t get us wrong – it can be a fun pastime, but like everything else, it must be enjoyed with moderation. For some people, one visit to an online casino can turn into an addiction. If you feel like you are one of them, abstaining from gambling altogether is probably the safest course of action.
Author Bio
Milica Kostic is a content Specialist with ahoygaming- a UK based firm
The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect all or some of our beliefs and policy. Any links on this page do not necessarily mean they have been endorsed by Defying Mental Illness.
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