From a psychological perspective online gambling, including day trading, is qualitative different than more conventional forms of gambling such as horse racing, casino gambling, and lottery tickets.

Each individual has a unique story and each has developed a particular relationship with the source of stimulation. For example, consider Brian who throws away more money than he can afford on lottery tickets. After debating with himself for many months and several failed attempts to control this behavior, Brian decides to change his ways and commits to abstinence. It is now a little after midnight three weeks later, and he has just pulled into a convenience store for gas. The clerks remarks, "This must be your lucky day, I was going to close up 5 minutes ago." Brian thinks, "Perhaps this is an omen of good fortune, I'd be foolish not to buy a ticket." What will determine his behavior at this critical moment, the commitment he made he made three weeks ago, or the impulse evoked by the immediate situation?" If he lapses that means that his behavior was dependent upon external factors rather than his decision, and so he has crossed the line to loss of control.

PARTS' Mood Screen Brief self-evaluation: Signs and symptoms of depression & anxiety	Do I have a problem? Is this a serious problem for me and worthy of my attention?	Trap Detector What is the nature of my addictive trap?	Advanced Cognitive Skills Skip the self-evaluation for now and go to the next step of the passage