Problem Gambling And Depression

Most people, whether they have a problem with gambling or not, can relate to the idea that people get excited when they win, and feel disappointed when they lose.

Griffiths cites several studies that show problem gambling's toll on individuals and society. For instance, people with problem gambling reported depression, anxiety, stomach problems, and suicidal. If you have a gambling problem, you may be surprised to learn that there’s a strong possibility that you also suffer from depression; it’s estimated that 76% of problem gamblers are likely to have a major depressive disorder. Your depression may have caused you to turn to gambling in the first place, to help alleviate feelings of loneliness, boredom or to give you a boost when you were feeling down. Most people, whether they have a problem with gambling or not, can relate to the idea that people get excited when they win, and feel disappointed when they lose. Beyond the initial feelings of sadness from losing, when someone has a gambling problem they may feel depressed, as well as perhaps experiencing feelings of shame and guilt.

Beyond the initial feelings of sadness from losing, when someone has a gambling problem they may feel depressed, as well as perhaps experiencing feelings of shame and guilt.

Signs of depression may include:

Increased irritability and frustration
Loss of interest in activities and friends
Feeling tired and worthless
Struggling to sleep or finding it difficult to get out of bed
Loss of appetite
Negative or hopeless thoughts

Most people experience some of these signs at different times in their lives but if you notice they are happening more often you may be feeling depressed.

How common is depression and gambling?

A recent study has found that people with a gambling problem were twice as likely to be depressed and 18 times more likely to experience severe psychological distress than people without a gambling problem.

Further to this, the connection between mood and gambling is not always one-way and being depressed may push someone towards gambling in the first place.

For example, feeling depressed, down or alone can place people at risk of developing or increasing their gambling problem:

People may use gambling as a break or escape from negative feelings or situations
Gambling may provide a ‘pick me up’ or a sense of feeling connected to other people.

How to deal with it?

It is really important to look at your gambling and mood when addressing the problem. This will help you decide what kind of supports and strategies you might want to consider using.

For example, if you gamble because you are lonely, it will be important to look at both the gambling and the loneliness when taking steps to get your control back.

Be active every day

Increasing your activity level can be one simple way to help with your depression. It can boost your mood, give you a different focus, increase your sense of control, makes you feel less tired and can help you think more clearly.

Just as you would train before running a marathon for the first time, starting with small steps can be the key. For example:

Make your bed – it gets you moving and a sense of achievement for completing an activity.
Go for a walk, gradually increasing how far you go each day
Cook a recipe you haven’t tried before
Wash dishes for the whole family, or do in-house cleaning
Sign up for a regular activity, this could include:
- Dancing
- Cooking
- Fitness / Gym
- Men’s shed
- Gardening
- Art activities
- Have a Pet
- Singing, music

Make sure it’s something you enjoy doing, or gives you a sense of satisfaction, this way you will look forward to it and be motivated to participate!

Next steps

If you think depression is an issue for you, it is important to get help: