Ludomania: a serious dependence that cannot be ignored

Krympress reports:

Ludomania, or game addiction, is a serious psychological disorder associated with an uncontrolled attraction to gambling. This problem requires an integrated approach and professional assistance, experts emphasize — amez.ru. Psychologists, cognitive-behavioral therapists help to deal with addiction, and in advanced cases, psychiatrists. A bitter fact here: Gambling destroys personal, family and financial life, and therefore it must be recognized and begin to recognize and begin treatment.

What is Ludomania and why is it dangerous?

Ludomania (from lat. “Ludus” — game) is a pathological addiction to gambling, in which a person loses control of his actions and continues to play, despite the negative consequences. This dependence is included in the classification of mental disorders and similar to the mechanism with drug addiction and alcoholism: it causes changes in the brain, forming a persistent need for the winnings and accompanied by symptoms of «breaking» if it is impossible to satisfy the craving for the game.

How does play addiction develop?

Game dependence can arise unnoticed, stepping on the innocent hobby to a severe form of disorder. They usually distinguish several stages:

• Phase of winnings — A person experiences excitement, enjoys the game and the first victories.
• Lost phase — There is a desire to recoup, which leads to an increase in bets and loss of control.
• phase of despair — Financial and social problems, depression, guilt begins.
• The phase of hopelessness — The game becomes the meaning of life, there is a willingness to take loans, commit crimes for the sake of continuing the game.

Who is prone to gambling?

Game dependence does not have strict age or social framework, but the most vulnerable groups are:

• youth — Teenagers and young people are prone to impulsive behavior and are looking for quick ways to earn money.
• People with financial difficulties — Attempts to “break the jackpot” often lead to the opposite effect.
• People with psychological problems — An alarming, depressive personalities can look for comfort and departure from reality in the game.
• Entertainment workers and IT -Access to online games and high risk of financial losses makes them especially vulnerable.

Why is gambling is considered serious dependence?

Ludomania is dangerous not only with financial problems, but also by a destructive effect on the psyche. She is accompanied by:

• constant stress and anxiety;
• the destruction of family and social ties;
• debts and loans;
• depression, and in advanced cases — suicidal thoughts.

Is it possible to cope with the gambling independently? Experts believe that in the early stages a person can try self -control, maintaining costs and restricting access to gambling. However, in most cases, dependence requires professional intervention.

When to seek help?

Relatives and the person himself must sound the alarm if the following signs are observed:

• constant thoughts about the game;
• lies and concealment of expenses;
• loss of interest in ordinary life;
• financial problems, debts;
• irritability, anxiety, depression.

Who to contact?

Treatment of Ludomania is complex, and it leads:

• Psychologists and psychotherapists -They work on the causes of dependence, use cognitive-behavioral therapy.
• Psychiatrists — In severe cases, they can prescribe drug support.
• mutual assistance groups — “Anonymous players” and other communities help control dependence.

Therapy algorithm for Ludomania:

• Diagnosis and awareness of the problem — Determination of the stage of dependence.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (KPT) — Change in thinking and patterns of behavior.
• Formation of healthy habits — Search for alternatives to excitement (sports, hobbies, work).
• Work with finances — Introduction of financial restrictions.
• Support for relatives — Family therapy.
• Long -term observation — The importance of control even after the completion of active treatment.

How really can you recover? Not very good news: gambling remains a chronic disease, however, with competent treatment, you can achieve a stable remission. The main thing is to seek help in time and not be afraid to recognize the problem.

At the same time, unfortunately, without realizing the problem and personal desire to get rid of dependence, the treatment will be ineffective. As with other types of dependencies (alcoholism, drug addiction), coercion to therapy without internal motivation rarely gives long -term results. A person must admit that he has a problem, and want to change his life.

In addition, even with successful treatment, the risk of relapse remains. Therefore, in working with gambling, it is important not only to get rid of the craving for gambling, but also to replace it with healthy habits, to work out the psychological causes of dependence and regularly maintain control. This is a complex process, but quite real, if you approach it comprehensively.

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