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Impulse control disorders and attention deficit disorder in pathological gamblers
S M Specker1, G A Carlson, G A Christenson
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis 55455, USA.
Summary
Pathological gambling frequently co-occurs with other impulse control disorders and attention deficit disorder. These findings highlight significant psychiatric comorbidities in individuals seeking treatment for gambling problems.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Behavioral Science
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Pathological gambling is an impulse control disorder with limited research on its psychiatric comorbidities.
- Understanding co-occurring conditions is crucial for effective treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of attention deficit disorder and other impulse control disorders in pathological gamblers.
- To examine the association between pathological gambling and comorbid psychiatric conditions.
Main Methods:
- Structured interviews using operationalized diagnostic criteria were conducted.
- Diagnoses were established for 40 pathological gamblers and 64 control participants.
- Comorbidity rates for impulse control disorders and attention deficit disorder were compared between groups.
Main Results:
- 35% of pathological gamblers had another impulse control disorder, versus 3% in controls (p < .001).
- Compulsive buying (p < .001) and compulsive sexual behavior (p < .05) were significantly more common in gamblers.
- Attention deficit disorder was present in 20% of pathological gamblers.
Conclusions:
- Pathological gambling shows a strong association with attention deficit disorder and other impulse control disorders.
- High comorbidity rates suggest shared underlying mechanisms or risk factors.
- These findings have implications for comprehensive assessment and integrated treatment approaches for pathological gambling.