Compulsive Gambling Test

[Simmo!]

Here's the Gambler's Anonymous test they constructed for the BBC you can take online.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/5010172.stm

If you fancy it. It makes you think. It wasn't quite as "obvious" as I thought it was going through it, but you'll see at the end anyway

And in case you were wondering, I'm right on the borderline psychologically, though not in "actuality"! See, this is where stuff like this gets tricky: as one who knows my weaknesses, I have put self-controls for my online "entertainments" in place. So, like the question: "After a win do you have a strong urge to return and win more?". Yeah, that was always one of my foibles. So I would, but I can't, due to the way I've (deliberately) set myself up (low reverse times, cashouts to banks, cooldown period etc) to stop this. So I answered "yes", even though I don't do it

But stuff like this can be quite eye-opening and make you think. It did me on a few questions.

[cheekymonkey]

Here's the Gambler's Anonymous test they constructed for the BBC you can take online.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/5010172.stm

If you fancy it. Just be honest (or there's no point in doing it!). It wasn't quite as "obvious" as I thought it was going through it, but you'll see at the end anyway

And in case you were wondering, I'm right on the borderline! Think I better bookmark this one for future checkups!

FFS! I don't even need to check this out to know the answer Simmo!

But I'll give it a go - lol.

[lojo]

Yeah, I hit a 6/20. Missed it by 'that' much I think that just makes me an enthusiastic gambler!

[paulcr]

I got 11/20. Looks like I`m pretty compulsive.

[tencardcharlie]

I got 6/20, a compulsive gamler would get 7/20. Sooo close

But I don't think the fact that I gamble to get money to pay bills should give higher scores in my case.

[Mousey]

Every gambler should do the occasional 'check up'. Doesn't hurt anything, and it just might help to spot any potential trouble spots.

[cheekymonkey]

Oh f**k.

[aka23]

I scored a 5/20 . I was not impressed with the test. Many of the questions were not a simple 'Yes' or 'No' for me. And in some cases, the reasons for my 'Yes' answers had nothing to do with compulsive gambling. I think the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria (for Pathological Gambling) is superior:

A. Persistent and recurrent maladaptive gambling behavior as indicated by five (or more) of the following:

(1) is 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) needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement
(3) has repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling
(4) is restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling
(5) gambles as a way of escaping from problems or of relieving a dysphoric mood (e.g., feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, depression)
(6) after losing money gambling, often returns another day to get even ("chasing" one's losses)
(7) lies to family members, therapist, or others to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling
(8) has committed illegal acts such as forgery, fraud, theft, or embezzlement to finance gambling
(9) has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of gambling
(10) relies on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling

B. The gambling behavior is not better accounted for by a Manic Episode.

Reprinted with permission from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth Edition. Copyright 1994 American Psychiatric Association

[Mousey]

Crikey, Cheeky! You shouldn't be here!

(and I was concerned because I got 2/20.... )

[amatrine]

I had 6/20

Ama