"The Big Game lottery jackpot is over $325 million, which gives rise to a sensation called 'lottery fantasy syndrome,' a form of psychological depression that can occur in lottery purchasers when they think that they will win and don't," according to Los Angeles psychologist and researcher, Robert R. Butterworth, Ph.D., who researched lottery players' hopes, dreams and fantasies.

The symptoms of Fantasy Syndrome: these lottery buyers firmly believe that they are going to win the jackpot, and even before the numbers are drawn, they make plans on how they are going to spend their winnings. These fantasies usually involve drastic life changes. Unfortunately, when lottery players don't win, their dreams are shattered and they experience a type of depression -- "when the truth of reality destroys the dreams of fantasy," says Butterworth, adding, "This lottery fantasy syndrome really heats up when the Lotto jackpot climbs as it is, to over $300 million."

Lottery fantasy syndrome can occur regardless of how many tickets are purchased. This phenomenon is not necessarily associated with compulsive gambling (people that mortgage their home in order to purchase large amounts of lottery tickets).
Source: International Trauma Associates ________________________________________________________
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