Year: 1996 Source: Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, v.57, suppl.8, (1996), p.80-84 SIEC No: 19970802

Pathological gambling is a disabling disorder that affects at least 2.5 million Americans & their families. Affective disorders & substance abuse often co-occur. Incidence of suicidality is extremely high. This article provides a clinical description of pathological gambling & its epidemiology, phenomenological links between pathological gambling & impulsivity, & neurobiological correlates. Psychoanalytic & pharmacotherapy strategies for treating pathological gamblers are discussed. (36 refs.)