DSM IV PRINT
Home Up Information Office Information Treatment Family Contact Helpful Links Biography CD Lecture

 

The following list of ten questions are used to make a diagnosis of Pathological Gambling.  This list is typically used by mental health professionals determine, based on the what the patient is saying, how many of the criteria fit.  It can be difficult for a person to make a "self-diagnoses" because someone can manipulate the questions in a manner that is not accurate.  Below is the list of questions and afterward I have provided some discussion of some of the common questions people ask.  This information is intended for educational purposes only.  Conclusions about whether a person is or is not a Pathological Gambler CAN NOT be based only on their score.  In addition, there is an exclusionary diagnosis, Bipolar Disorder.  This means that if someone has Bipolar Disorder than making a diagnosis of Pathological Gambling would be dependent on additional assessment information.  This has been adapted from the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and is available with expanded information in the book:  Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM IV™)

DSM IV CHECKLIST (312.31)

1. Are you preoccupied with gambling (e.g., preoccupied with reliving past gambling experiences, handicapping or planning the next venture, or thinking of ways to get money with which to gamble)?

2. Do you need to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement?

3. Have you made repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling?

4. Are you restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling?

5. Do you gamble as a way of escaping from problems or of relieving feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, or depression?

6. After losing money gambling, do you often return another day to get even?

7. Do you lie to family members, therapists, or to others to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling?

8. Have you committed illegal acts such as forgery, fraud, theft, or embezzlement to finance gambling?

9. Have you jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job or educational or career opportunity because of gambling?

10. Do you rely on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling?  

 

For Scoring information for the DSM-IV Click Here: DSM Scoring 

To go to the South Oaks Gambling Screen Click Here:   SOGS