Many different mental health disorders appear to be related to gambling addiction. These include:

• Mood disorders. Affect a person’s mood and ability to function. Includes bipolar disorder and major depression, which can also include suicidal thoughts or behavior as a symptom. Most pathological gamblers experience major depression at some point in their lives. They sometimes use gambling as an escape from feelings of depression.
  
  
• Substance abuse. The use of alcohol, tobacco and/or a variety of legal and/or illegal drugs to alter mood or behavior. Drinking and using drugs often accompany pathological gambling behavior. Gambling addiction and substance abuse share a similar course of development – including an increasing tolerance (to monetary risk or substance of choice), preoccupation, withdrawal and relapse.
  
  
• Anxiety disorders. Disorders that consist of debilitating apprehension, worry or fear. Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder and agoraphobia are types of anxiety disorders seen in patients with gambling problems. Pathological gamblers sometimes use gambling as a way to alleviate feelings of anxiety.
  
  
• Personality disorders. Behavior patterns that cause stress and relationship problems. Narcissistic, antisocial and borderline personality disorders (BPD) can sometimes occur along with a gambling addiction.
  
  
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). An inability to concentrate and a tendency toward impulsive behavior and mood swings. A history of these symptoms in childhood may increase the risk of developing pathological gambling later in life.