According to a national gambling awareness group, the health affects of problem gambling -- including sleep and digestive disorders and heart conditions -- are often overlooked by physicians and mental health professionals. Gambling can become an addiction and disorder when the gambler becomes obsessed or can not control the urge to place bets. Gambling behavior that becomes excessive and continues despite serious financial, relationship and work problems is considered pathological (or compulsive). The American Psychiatric Association classifies pathological gambling as an impulse control disorder.
"Our research shows that 2 to 3 percent of the U.S. population will have a gambling problem in any given year," Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), said in a press release. His organization sponsors the National Problem Gambling Awareness Week observance, which is March 5-11 this year.
Whyte added: "Many of these gamblers first go to their primary care providers complaining of stress-related problems such as migraines, insomnia, stomach ailments and even cardiac distress." In addition, gamblers may be at higher risk of depression and alcohol and substance abuse.
"Of the thousands of problem gamblers who receive medical intervention every year, only few are ever diagnosed with the gambling disorder," Whyte said.
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