Mental Health and Gambling
Gambling is a form of entertainment that involves placing bets on events with a random outcome. It can be done in a variety of ways, including betting on the winner of a football match or on a scratchcard. The first step in gambling is choosing what to bet on – this could be a particular team or event, or a certain number. This choice is then matched to a set of ‘odds’, which determine how much money you could win if your bet wins. The odds are usually shown on the betting screen and in printed media.
Gambling has many different psychological effects, some of which can be harmful to mental health. For example, it can cause people to become addicted to the feeling of winning, which can trigger a reward response in the brain. This can lead to compulsive behaviour, such as lying or hiding evidence of gambling. People can also become withdrawn, irritable or depressed when they are gambling.
It is important to seek help if you think you may have a problem with gambling. A GP or NHS service will be able to offer you support, or you can try the following self-help tips.
Often, the urge to gamble is a reaction to feelings of boredom or anxiety. It can also be a way to socialise or escape from worries or stress. However, gambling can have serious consequences if it gets out of control. If you are regularly spending more than you can afford to lose, or relying on credit or payday loans to fund your gambling, then you may be at risk of having a gambling addiction.
Many people with mental health problems are at increased risk of gambling, as it can be used to relieve symptoms of depression or as a way to distract yourself from distressing emotions. In extreme cases, it can even trigger suicidal thoughts. If you are having these thoughts, call 999 or visit A&E immediately. In the long term, gambling can damage relationships with family and friends. Often, people who have a problem with gambling start to lie or hide evidence of their activity and spend less time with loved ones.
Gambling can be a dangerous addiction for both children and adults. Children can be exposed to it through television shows or online, and can be influenced by peers who have an unhealthy relationship with gambling. Children can also be at risk of becoming dependent on gambling in order to feel good about themselves.
When you gamble, your brain releases a surge of dopamine, the feel-good neurotransmitter. This causes you to feel excited and elated, which can be a reason why people find it difficult to stop. Unfortunately, this high can also make any losses more disappointing and cause you to want to gamble more in an attempt to experience that feeling again.
Using credit and pay day loans to fund gambling can be very dangerous, and debts can build up very quickly. In some cases, this can push you into a financial crisis where you feel unable to pay your bills or credit cards, and can even lead to the need to sell or steal things to get money for gambling.
