Gambling Disorder is a serious mental health condition.
The American Psychiatric Association recognizes Gambling Disorder as a real mental health condition — it is the only behavioral addiction not involving a substance.
Gambling Disorder is characterized by persistent and recurrent problematic gambling behavior leading to significant impairment or distress.
Severity is rated as:
Mild: 4–5 criteria
Moderate: 6–7 criteria
Severe: 8–9 criteria
To be diagnosed, a person must meet at least 4 out of 9 criteria within a 12-month period.
Criteria includes:
Preoccupation with gambling.
Needing to gamble with increasing amounts of money to achieve excitement.
Repeated unsuccessful efforts to cut back or stop.
Restlessness or irritability when attempting to cut back.
Gambling to escape problems or relieve negative moods (anxiety, guilt, depression).
Chasing losses (“trying to win it back”).
Lying to conceal gambling activity.
Jeopardizing or losing a job, relationship, or educational/career opportunity due to gambling.
Relying on others to provide money to relieve financial desperation caused by gambling.
Severity is rated as:
Mild: 4–5 criteria
Moderate: 6–7 criteria
Severe: 8–9 criteria
