Can Playing Poker Cause Depression?

sumansu · Feb 19, 2018

please mention.

Nick301274 · Feb 19, 2018

if all the time playing loosely then yes, sometimes you need to take a break

BigRivers · Feb 19, 2018

Live play is very fun.

Traveling around the US crushing random casinos for a couple sessions in each was the most enjoyable time of my life.
Although I played less than 40 hours a week. Also I'm new to online, and I can see how it might get depressing.

Hondo · Feb 19, 2018

Poker or gambling is more likely a symptom of depression rather than the cause of depression.

"Depression is one of the most common contributing factors to many forms of addiction. Depression often compels the sufferer to seek relief or “self-medicate” by ingesting substances or engaging in behaviors that makes him or her feel better temporarily. Again, the euphoria produced by excess dopamine in the brain is often very effective in relieving depression temporarily. However, once the euphoria subsides, dopamine levels crash, resulting in rebound depression that is often worse than it was to begin with. This then triggers more indulgence of the addiction and repetitive cycles of a high followed by a crash." An excerpt from an article from the Gambling Treatment Helpline.

The whole article can be read here: http://www.gamblingtreatmenthelpline.com/depression-loneliness-and-gambling-addiction/

Iryna Stryzheuskaya · Feb 19, 2018

Poker is a game. Do not take it too seriously.

NHequalsFU · Feb 19, 2018

I think big downswings can cause depression if you play professionally. This is why you want to be more than rolled for the games you are playing.

natasha555 · Feb 19, 2018

Depression can lead to aggression and loose play, which as a result may be the cause of your loss. Aggression interferes with concentration, removes the "blocker" of emotions, it makes it more difficult to hide your feelings, so if bad cards get in your hands, there is a risk of emotionally betraying yourself.

terryk · Feb 19, 2018

Iryna Stryzheuskaya said:
Poker is a game. Do not take it too seriously.

Agree

,,,,how can playing a game be a sad thing? I don`t get sad playing games,,,,they make me happy.:marchmell

Peppinotom · Feb 19, 2018

Depression? No! Aggression? Definetily yes! After 30 tournaments getting dealt nothing, but the donk will always get his Ace or one of his 2 outs on the river, while you were leading Pre/flop, on the flop and on the turn can make me mad and throw something around. Thx god I have a big resistant dog. (joke):wavey:

RunoMont · Feb 19, 2018

depression is a serious problem

I can't tell how severe it has to be, so we call it depression per say. there are some tendencies for depression that depends on the mental health of each individual. based on this line of thought, I would be skeptic to relate depression with the act of playing poker, been it a good or a bad player. I personally believe that some other variables need to be analysed before hand for this conclusion.

MattRyder · Feb 19, 2018

Anything done to excess with no lasting satisfaction can cause depression. Continuous losing qualifies as doing something to excess with no lasting satisfaction. I doubt very much though that you will find many successful poker players (who may play 60 hours a week) that are depressed.

So, it's not the game that causes depression, but rather what you do or do not get from it.

hugh blair · Feb 19, 2018

Losing money that should of wen on bills or lifes necessities can make you depressed only play with money you can afford to lose good luck

sryImPro · Feb 19, 2018

If you play to "win", so if it's more like a source for making money or if you depend of the outcome of your game in any sense of way, than depression and poker don't go along. In other hand, if it's just a fun for you, if you enjoy the game whatever the outcome is, you shouldn't be worried about that. It's up to you to look inside and conclude what is poker for you. If you are going through the phase of depression, i would suggest more socialization, more interaction with people you like until you feel better.

terryk · Feb 19, 2018

terryk said:
Agree,,,,how can playing a game be a sad thing? I don`t get sad playing games,,,,they make me happy.:marchmell

sry,sometimes i can b insenitive.(my wife keeps me grounded) Yes,playing/losing can be harmful to anyone`s well-being.We should do more things that make us happy in a day.

jospel · Feb 19, 2018

If you take enough bb's and lose enough money, i'm sure depression will set in at some point.

NBB · Feb 19, 2018

How about asking yourself this question:

Can being depressed cause you to play poker?

Something that makes you go hummm!

radartodd69 · Feb 19, 2018

I get bummed out once in awhile but generally I enjoy playing poker. The down swings are supposed to build character or so I'm told. lol

makisaa · Feb 19, 2018

No depression, but it really has ups and downs. The purpose is to handle the ups and downs in a way to drive you higher.

Manifestor · Feb 19, 2018

it was always hard to retreat after a series of losers, so it's better not to waste your bankroll, and survive this day, try a new day with new forces

Olvia · Feb 19, 2018

Personally for me, a major tournament is always terrible stress. Without dependence I won or lost.

VITOS · Feb 19, 2018

To be loaded with positive, do something like that is likely to give a good result. Play a quiet game in the house, play tight-aggressive at very low stakes online poker or delay deals with the fact that just like you. Moreover, in order to restore confidence in poker, judge logically. Thoughts can help counter the negative emotions.

AlbieTross · Feb 19, 2018

If I have a really bad, I'll likely be in a bad mood for the rest of the day, but I wouldn't say it causes me depression.

Aremaz95 · Feb 19, 2018

You can get angry when you lose with a big hand but you can not be sad, to play poker well you have to consider good mental health to know how to control emotions

vitalii029 · Feb 19, 2018

if you do not know how to keep your emotions in hand , then of course the depression is provided to you when playing poker, as in a poker game you will often encounter defeats and it will cause you emotions

grumblbrumbl · Feb 19, 2018

I think that poker is not for everyone. Anyone who is prone to frequent mood disorders, it is better not to play, or play at low limits, so as not to greatly mourn the loss.

Can Playing Poker Cause Depression?

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