Individuals with Feng’s condition often struggle to control their impulses. Which of the following experiences best reflect Feng’s difficulties with managing the impulses

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Individuals with Feng’s condition often struggle to control their impulses. Which of the following experiences best reflect Feng’s difficulties with managing the impulses related to his gambling?

Feng’s Story

Feng is an ambitious, 27-year-old financial manager. He is one of the youngest managers in his firm, where he has a reputation for being a very smart and very aggressive currency trader.

His bonuses are among the highest the company has ever offered for someone at his level, and his clients are often grateful for his professionalism and skill.

Recently, however, his behavior has led to concerning incidents at his job. Feng was short-tempered with an important client, who complained to a board member.

He has been unpleasant with several coworkers, and when a spot internal audit of his accounts was begun, he erupted in a rage.

The audit found several significant irregularities and, per the company procedures, he was suspended to allow a more thorough investigation to be conducted. Feng’s supervisor, concerned, recommended that Feng talk to the employee assistance program, which referred Feng to a psychologist.

In response to questions about his current life circumstances, Feng acknowledged experiencing significant financial problems and being on the verge of defaulting on his condo mortgage.

He acknowledged that he spent excessively, but traced the worst of his problems to his enjoyment of high-stakes poker games. He loved the excitement of being a currency trader and wanted that same excitement during his leisure hours, and he found that high-stakes poker could do that.

Unfortunately, for the past two years, he was needing to make higher and higher bets to feel the same excitement and, as a result, had “borrowed” money from his clients’ accounts.

He was adamant that he would repay the accounts as soon as he got back on a winning streak, which he expected would happen soon despite having lost over $250,000 in recent weeks.

He denied ever having tried to quit gambling and, in fact, does not want to do so. He acknowledged thinking a lot about gambling, including while at work, but stated that no one at work knew about his gambling.

He usually lied about where he spent weekends and holidays to avoid having coworkers know about how much time he spent playing poker. Feng was also careful to confirm that the psychologist could not disclose his gambling to his employer without his written consent.

 

1. Individuals with gambling disorder have a compulsive desire to engage in gambling activities despite negative consequences. What sort of negative consequences has Feng experienced from his gambling?

 

a. Feng’s sleep has been adversely affected by his gambling behavior.
b. Feng is experiencing financial problems due to his gambling.
c. Feng’s family wants nothing to do with him as they disapprove of gambling.
d. Feng’s friends joke that he likes gambling more than he likes them and have dropped him.

2. Some of the symptoms of gambling disorder are listed below. Indicate which symptom of gambling-use disorder is present in Feng’s case.

 

a. Experiencing occasional preoccupation with gambling that he has been able to manage more or less on his own
b. Feeling irritable or restless following attempts to reduce or stop gambling
c. A need to bet progressively larger quantities of money to achieve the desired excitement
d. Being unsuccessful when attempting to control, reduce, or stop gambling

3. According to the diagnostic criteria listed by the DSM-5 for gambling disorder (not just the symptoms highlighted in the previous question), does Feng meet the criteria for a gambling disorder?

 

a. No; he has a psychotic disorder that appears to compel him to gamble.
b. Yes; he has a gambling disorder.
c. No; while his gambling is problematic, it does not meet the criteria for a gambling disorder.
d. No; he has a mood disorder with problem gambling as a symptom.

 

 

a. Feng has jeopardized a significant job or career opportunity because of gambling.
b. Feng is restless or irritable when he attempts to cut back on his gambling.
c. Feng often gambles while feeling distressed.
d. Feng has made repeated unsuccessful efforts to cut back on his gambling.