Editing Problem gambling (section)

==Defining problem gambling and its symptoms==
Research by governments in Australia led to a universal definition for that country which appears to be the only research-based definition not to use diagnostic criteria: "Problem gambling is characterized by many difficulties in limiting money and/or time spent on gambling which leads to adverse consequences for the gambler, others, or for the community."<ref>{{cite report |url=http://www.gamblingresearch.org.au/CA256902000FE154/Lookup/GRA_Reports_Files1/$file/NatDefs_ExecSum.pdf |title=Problem Gambling and Harm: Towards a National Definition |publisher= gamblingresearch.org.au|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060819005629/http://www.gamblingresearch.org.au/CA256902000FE154/Lookup/GRA_Reports_Files1/$file/NatDefs_ExecSum.pdf |archive-date= 19 August 2006 |page=i}}</ref> The [[University of Maryland Medical Center]] defines pathological gambling as "being unable to resist impulses to gamble, which can lead to severe personal or social consequences".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vorvick |first1=Linda |last2=Merrill |first2= Michelle |date=February 18, 2010 |url=http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/001520.htm |title= Pathological Gambling |publisher=[[University of Maryland Medical Center]] |access-date=April 4, 2012}}</ref>

Most other definitions of problem gambling can usually be simplified to any gambling that causes harm to the gambler or someone else in any way; however, these definitions are usually coupled with descriptions of the type of harm or the use of diagnostic criteria.{{Citation needed|date=May 2012}} The [[DSM-5]] has since reclassified pathological gambling as ''gambling disorder'' and has listed the disorder under substance-related and addictive disorders rather than impulse-control disorders. This is due to the symptomatology of the disorder resembling an addiction not dissimilar to that of a [[substance use disorder]].<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Christensen|first1=D. R.|last2=Jackson|first2=Alun C.|last3=Dowling|first3=Nicki A.|last4=Volberg|first4=Rachel A.|last5=Thomas|first5=Shane A.|title=An Examination of a Proposed DSM-IV Pathological Gambling Hierarchy in a Treatment Seeking Population: Similarities with Substance Dependence and Evidence for Three Classification Systems|journal=Journal of Gambling Studies|volume=31|issue=3|pages=1–20|doi=10.1007/s10899-014-9449-2|pmid=24627139|year=2014|hdl=10133/3418|s2cid=728917|hdl-access=free}}</ref> To be diagnosed, an individual must have at least four of the following symptoms in 12 months:<ref>{{cite book|author1=American Psychiatric Association|title=Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders|publisher=American Psychiatric Publishing|date=18 May 2013|location=Washington, DC|edition=5th}}</ref>
* Needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money to achieve the desired excitement
* Is restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling
* Has made repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling
* Is often preoccupied with gambling (e.g., having persistent thoughts of reliving past gambling experiences, handicapping or planning the next venture, thinking of ways to get money with which to gamble)
* Often gambles when feeling distressed (e.g., helpless, guilty, anxious, depressed)
* After losing money gambling, often returns another day to get even ("chasing" one's losses)
* Lies to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling
* Has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, education, or career opportunity because of gambling
* Relies on others to provide money to relieve desperate financial situations caused by gambling