PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLING

In medicine, comorbidity is the presence of one or more additional diseases coexisting with a primary disease or disorder. The additional disorder may be also be a behavior or mental disorder. There has been proof of this with impulse control disorders, such as compulsive gambling, and ADHD and as a complication of late Parkinson's disease. Also, there is a significant co-occurance of pathological gambling and personality disorder. It is suggested to be caused by their common genetic vulnerability. Cognitive techniques such as psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring and relapse have proven to be effective as treatments. One exercise is the gambler may first be shown pictures of a Blackjack table and then given a deck of cards to hold. Over time, the patient will work his/her way to standing in side the casino without gambling. Although the FDA has not approved specific medications, Escitalopram has shown to improve the condition of the subjects of compulsive gambling with anxiety symptoms. Paroxetine has shown to be somewhat effective although the results are inconsistent. Also, Fluoxetine has not produced consistent positive results. Inconsistent results of these medications might suggest a neurological heterogeneity.