Gambling has long been identified as highly addictive to people with a
genetic predisposition for addiction. But far away from the glittering lights
of casinos, another closely related addiction has emerged: Day Trading !!
The pursuit of money is certainly one of the primary goals for anyone in
the modern world. Money is the means by which we secure just about every
necessity in life. As such, money is not an end in itself but rather a tool to
provide food, shelter, and other material comforts. But what happens when this
logic is turned on its head, and money itself becomes the goal, without any
reference to how it will be used?
So we recently examined the issue.Gambling has long been identified as highly addictive to people
with a genetic predisposition for addiction. But far away from the glittering
lights of casinos, another closely related addiction has emerged: day trading
Day trading is, simply, playing the stock market at home. With the advent of
broadband internet connections and real-time trading, users can quickly buy and
sell stocks and other investments from the comfort of their own home – 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week. While in the past, financial transactions were typically
placed through a broker and could take multiple days to be processed,
technological advance has extended the instantaneous gratification of the web
to major financial decisions.The net result? Enticed by the lure of making huge
financial gains, many homeowners and family men (and women) find their savings
devastated and even find themselves taking on new debts in order to play the
markets.
Recent research conducted at St. Stephens College, New Delhi has found
that stock trading - much like other addictions - influences the reward centres
of the brain. A person addicted to day trading is hooked on the expectation of
pleasure that he or she will receive from trading. In turn, this becomes a
habit and a preoccupation of daily life. Some day traders report literally
waking up, turning on their computer, and getting online in order to start
trading. While others explain how they move through different time zones as
markets close.What's more, it actually seems possible that when the day trader
loses significant amounts of money, it actually provides further reinforcement
to their addiction. There is a certain thrill derived from standing on the
precipice of financial ruin. With danger comes excitement and the further hope
of conquering the markets.
Some might argue that day trading is different from gambling, insofar as
trading relies on analysis and intuition, whereas gambling is primarily under
the influence of chance. However, this difference is dispelled when one
considers that many gamblers, even lottery players, believe that they have some
knack for winning. Moreover, with the volatility of the market, huge swathes of
stocks can lose value indiscriminately.
Despite having chosen a relatively robust investment, when the market
fluctuates, almost every investment is affected. It is perhaps this greater
volatility of the markets that provides higher excitement levels for the day
trader. And for those with an addiction to day trading – this further
excitement provides all the more enticement to take on more risk than is
advisable.
Shafa Home, specializes in treatment of addiction for
high-functioning individuals who struggle with this and other addictions. If you
are seeking treatment for addiction, contact one of our specialists today.
This article is the sole property of "The
Cabin", they are its original authors.
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