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Bipolar Disorder/Gambling and bipolar disorder

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Expert: - 3/19/2011


Question
Hello, I am not a weak willed person. I am currently getting treatment for gambling at St.Vincents Hospital. But, I just recently had a recurring incident where I gambled a large amount of money (to me anyway) without even thinking that I had a little savings and so on. This is like a Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde syndrome.

And afterwards, if I win I feel elated, but if I lose (most of the time), I feel dismayed, angry and shocked.

This morning when I awoke, I remembered other people having sudden severe urges to gamble after being put on medications.

I have taken slow release lithium carbonate for many years (am single and aged 46). I think it really could be the lithium. It is supposed to reduce the electronic impulses in the brain. Well my brain is malfunctioning!!! I look forward to your response. PS - I have read several articles this morning written by pyschiatrists, suggesting just the opposite of my hypothesis. They believe that there research shows that it actually helped problem gamblers.

Regards,

Andrew

Answer
Hi Andrew,

The only way I know of helping people overcome their gambling addiction is the same as treating any other addiction. I know from experience that most gamblers are hypoglycemic - as are other addicted people. So the first step in treatment is going on a hypoglycemic diet as explained at our web site. Please read:

Gambling and its Nutritional Treatment at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/gambling.html

_______________________________________________
Jurriaan Plesman, Nutritional Psychotherapist.
Hon. Editor of
The Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia.
www.hypoglycemia.asn.au
Author of "Getting off the Hook"
Freely available at Google Book Search
Skype: jurplesman

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Jurriaan Plesman, Nutritional Psychotherapist

Expertise

Have worked as a psychotherapist for overv twenty years, dealing with many personality disorders

Experience

I have a degree in Psychology from the Sydney University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Nutrition. I am also the author of “GETTING OFF THE HOOK” which deals with the nutritional and psychological treatment of personality disorders. It is freely available on the internet at Google Book Search. I am interested in the relationship between nutrition and behaviour, and as a Probation ans Parole Officer facilitated groups for offenders, many of whom were alcoholics and drug addicts, sex offenders or compulsive gamblers, as well as the whole gamut of “personality disorders”. I am also the ex-editor of the Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia Newsletter, a quarterly publication dealing with hypoglycemia and related health problems. Its web site, together with a shortened course of PSYCHOTHERAPY can be visited at: http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au

Organizations
Editor of the Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia. Its web site is at:

http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au

Publications
Author of the book "Getting off the Hook", It is freely available on the internet at Google Book Search. Various articles in the Hypoglycemic Health Association's Newsletters

Education/Credentials
BA (Psych) (University of Sydney), Post Gad Dip Clin Nutr (International Academy of Nutrition)

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