Dr. Roxanne Dryden-Edwards is an adult, child, and adolescent psychiatrist. She is a former Chair of the Committee on Developmental Disabilities for the American Psychiatric Association, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, and Medical Director of the National Center for Children and Families in Bethesda, Maryland.
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
Where can people find more information about gambling addiction?
NAADAC - The Association for Addiction Professionals
1001 N. Fairfax St.,
Suite 201
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 1-800-548-0497
Fax: 1-800-377-1136
UCLA Gambling Studies Program
http://www.uclagamblingprogram.org
Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling
1-800-426-1234
http://www.masscompulsivegambling.org
Gambling Addiction At A Glance
Compulsive gambling affects 2%-5% of Americans, can involve a
variety of ways and places to bet, and symptoms may differ somewhat between males
and females, as well as teenagers versus adults.
Although men tend to develop a gambling addiction at a higher rate and at
younger ages than women, women now make up more than one-quarter of all
compulsive gamblers, and women's symptoms tend to worsen faster once compulsive
gambling develops.
As opposed to pathological gambling, problem gambling involves more than
one but less than five symptoms of compulsive gambling.
Although direct causes of compulsive gambling are unusual, the manic
episodes associated with bipolar disorder and some medications that treat
Parkinson's disease and restless leg syndrome have been associated with the
development of this disorder.
Risk factors for pathological gambling include schizophrenia, mood
problems, antisocial personality disorder, alcohol, or cocaine addiction.
The diagnosis of compulsive gambling involves identifying at least five
symptoms that indicate poor impulse control when it comes to gambling, as well
as ruling out other potential causes of the behaviors.
As with any mental-health condition, accurate diagnosis of gambling
addiction requires a complete physical and psychological evaluation, including a
mental-status examination and appropriate laboratory tests to rule out other
possible causes of the symptoms that are being observed.
The treatment of compulsive gambling usually uses more than one approach,
including psychotherapy, medication, financial counseling, support groups,
12-step programs, and self-help techniques.
Although pathological gambling may resolve with time on its own in many
individuals, the devastating effects it usually has on the person's financial,
family, legal, and mental-health status indicates that treatment should be
attempted anyone who is motivated to get help for this disorder.
REFERENCES:
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American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders, Fourth Edition, Treatment Revision. American Psychiatric
Publishing: Washington, D.C., 2000.
Cunningham-Williams, R.M., R.A. Grucza, L.B. Cottler, et al. "Prevalence and Predictors of Pathological Gambling: Results From the St. Louis Personality, Health and Lifestyle (SLPHL) Study." Journal of Psychiatric Research
39.4 July 2005: 377-390.
Dodd, M.L., K.J. Klos, J.H. Bower, Y.E. Geda, et al. "Pathological Gambling Caused by Drugs Used to Treat Parkinson Disease." Archives of Neurology
62 (2005).
Fong, T.W. "Pathological Gambling: Update on Assessment and Treatment." Addictive
Disorders 27 Aug. 2009.
George, S., and V. Murali. "Pathological Gambling: An Overview of Assessment and
Treatment." Advances in Psychiatric Treatment 11 (2005): 450-456.
Grant, J.E., and S.W. Kim. "Medication Management of Pathological Gambling." Minnesota
Medicine 89.9 Sept. 2006: 44-48.
Hall, G.W., N.J. Carriero, R.Y. Takushi, et al. "Pathological Gambling Among
Cocaine-Dependent Outpatients." American Journal of Psychiatry 157 July 2000:
1127-1133.
Korn, D.A., and H.J. Shaffer. "Practice Guidelines for Treating Gambling-Related
Problems: An Evidence-Based Treatment Guide for Clinicians." Massachusetts
Council on Compulsive Gambling Jan. 2004.
Ledgerwood, D.M., J. Weinstock, B.J. Morasco, and N.M. Petry. "Clinical Features and
Treatment Prognosis of Pathological Gamblers With and Without Recent
Gambling-Related Illegal Behavior." Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry
and the Law 35.3 (2007): 294-301.
Leung, K.S., and L.B. Cottler. "Treatment of Pathological Gambling." Current Opinion in
Psychiatry 22.1 Jan. 2009: 69-74.
Moreyra, P., A. Ibanez, J. Saiz-Ruiz, et al. "Review of the Phenomenology,
Etiology and Treatment of Pathological Gambling." German Journal of Psychiatry
3 (2000): 37-52.
Nower, L., and A. Blaszcznski. "Binge Gambling: A Neglected Concept." International
Gambling Studies 3.1 (2003): 23-35.
Okuda, M., I. Balan, N.M. Petry, et al. "Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for
Pathological Gambling: Cultural Considerations." American Journal of Psychiatry
166 Dec.
2009: 1325-1330.
Petry, N.M. "Internet Gambling: An Emerging Concern in Family Practice Medicine?"
Family Practice 23.4 (2006): 421-426.
Petry, N.M, and C. Armentano. "Prevalence, Assessment and Treatment of Pathological
Gambling: A Review." Psychiatric Services 50 Aug. 1999: 1021-1027.
Potenza, M.N., M.A. Steinberg, S.D. McLaughlin, et al. "Gender-Related Differences in
the Characteristics of Problem Gamblers Using a Gambling Helpline." American
Journal of Psychiatry 158 Sept. 200: 1500-1505.
Slutske, W.S. "Natural Recovery and Treatment-Seeking in Pathological Gambling:
Results of Two U.S. National Surveys." American Journal of Psychiatry 163
Feb. 2006: 297-302.
Tsoi, S. "Academics Discuss Issues Concerning Gambling and Asian American
Community Health." Sampan 19 Mar. 2009: 40.
Westermeyer, J., J. Canive, J. Garrard, et al. "Lifetime Prevalence of
Pathological Gambling Among American Indian and Hispanic American Veterans."
American Journal of Public Health 95.5 May 2005: 860-866.
Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension and fear characterized by physical symptoms. Anxiety disorders are serious medical illnesses that affect approximately 19 million American adults.
Anorexia is an eating disorder characterized by markedly reduced appetite or total aversion to food. Anorexia is a serious psychological disorder and is a condition that goes well beyond out-of-control dieting. With anorexia, the drive to become thinner is actually secondary to concerns about control and/or fears relating to one's body. There are psychological and behavioral symptoms as well as physical symptoms of anorexia including: depression, social withdrawal, fatigue, food obsession, heart and gastrointestinal complications, kidney function, flaky skin, brittle nails, and tooth loss (this list is not exhaustive).
Alcoholism is a disease that includes alcohol craving and continued drinking despite repeated alcohol-related problems, such as losing a job or getting into trouble with the law.
Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts and affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. The principal types of depression are major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disease (also called manic-depressive disease).
Schizophrenia is a disabling brain disorder that may cause hallucinations and delusions and affect a person's ability to communicate and pay attention. Symptoms of psychosis appear in men in their late teens and early 20s and in women in their mid-20s to early 30s. With treatment involving the use of antipsychotic medications and psychosocial treatment, schizophrenia patients can lead rewarding and meaningful lives.
Suicide is the process of intentionally ending one's own life. Approximately 1 million people worldwide commit suicide each year, and 10 million to 20 million attempt suicide annually.
Bipolar disorder (or manic depression) is a mental illness characterized by depression, mania, and severe mood swings. Treatment may incorporate mood stabilizer medications, antidepressants, and psychotherapy.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a behavioral disorder characterized by the symptoms hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. Treatment for ADHD may involve behavioral therapy and psychostimulant or antidepressant medication.
Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) has many symptoms, signs, and causes. Therapy is one treatment option for antisocial personality disorder. It is closely related to other personality disorders (PD), such as borderline personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder.
Child abuse falls into four categories: neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse. There are certain risk factors that predispose a child to being abused and an adult to abusing a child. Risk factors for children are age, children with learning disabilities, adopted and foster children, children with congenital abnormalities, and a past history of abuse. Parental risk factors include young or single parents, those who suffered abuse themselves, adults with substance-abuse problems or psychiatric disease, and those who didn't graduate from high school.
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Childhood depression can interfere with social activities, interests, schoolwork and family life. Symptoms and signs include anger, social withdrawal, vocal outbursts, fatigue, physical complaints, and thoughts of suicide. Treatment may involve psychotherapy and medication.
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Domestic violence, or intimate partner abuse, is when one person in an intimate relationship uses any means to control the other person. It may take many forms, including emotional, psychological, physical, sexual, or economic abuse. Risk factors for domestic violence include drug and alcohol abuse, unemployment, and having a relationship with the victim. Part of treating domestic violence involves keeping the victim safe and developing a safety plan for home and the workplace.
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Bipolar disorder, or manic-depressive illness, is a disorder that causes unusual and extreme mood changes. Symptoms of bipolar disorder in children and teens include having trouble concentrating, behaving in risky ways and losing interest in activities they once enjoyed. Treatment for bipolar disorder in children and teenagers incorporates psychotherapy and medications.
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Depression in the elderly is very common. That doesn't mean, though, it's normal. Treatment may involve antidepressants, psychotherapy, or electroconvulsive therapy.
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