Gambling is essentially the wagering of something of worth or value against an uncertain future with an unknown outcome. Gambling therefore requires three factors to be present: risk, consideration, and a reward. Without these three, the whole concept of gambling is incomplete. Risk is what makes it risky, while consideration is what makes it enticing, while the reward is what draws people in to gamble.
Depression is very closely related to anxiety, both as a mental and physical condition. Gambling addicts therefore tend to have depressed thoughts, and may even suffer from insomnia or other related problems because of it. The fear of losing the money they gambled comes with it and thus causes them to feel anxious and depressed. The fear of not winning the amount they bet on also causes the same anxiety. This causes the gambler to have an extreme level of self-discipline and prevents him/her from changing their habits and behaviors.
Gamblers can also experience extreme levels of anxiety, which stems from the fear that they might lose everything that they have put up as stakes or are about to bet. They may also suffer from intense states of fear, panic, and/or guilt. The reason for such fears is due to the uncontrollable thoughts and emotions that occur when a gambler bets too much. There is a common misconception that anxiety is caused by pressure, which is often used by gamblers to rationalize their behaviors.
Gambling can turn into a destructive cycle that can lead to financial ruin if not stop. Addiction is when a person continually sees things in a more negative way and feels uncomfortable with their behavior. The negative feelings do not go away and can sometimes even increase in severity. This causes the gambler to want to stop gambling to avoid the pain that they are feeling.
Gamblers are usually those who are not happy with the world. They may feel unhappy about themselves, have financial troubles, or be unhappy with their job and relationship. There are many who seek help for excessive gambling because of these troubles. Gambling addiction can cause a variety of other issues, if not treated properly.
Anyone can gamble a little, but if you add the factor of anxiety, then you have a problem. Gambling addiction should not be looked at as a means to get rich quickly, or to escape from paying taxes. You may think that you are simply playing a game, but there is a lot more to it than that. You should seek treatment if you feel that your anxiety has gotten out of control, or you are experiencing depression because of your gambling problem. This may be the beginning of the treatment process, or at worst it will provide the needed guidance to get you back on track with your life.