A single event, such as winning the lottery, can change a person's life forever. Many people dream of winning the lottery, believing it will solve all their problems. And it's true; winning the lottery can bring a person and their family a lot of happiness and a lifetime of financial security. But, just as a windfall of cash can improve a life, it can also destroy one.
When someone's life changes drastically - and in the case of a large lottery winning, literally overnight - it can lead him/her to make quick and drastic decisions such as quitting their jobs on the spot, making major unnecessary purchases, and accepting gifts and favors that they wouldn't otherwise be offered. Winning huge sums of money can lead to high anxiety and stress, with negative repercussions such as family issues, severe depression, and even suicide. .
After landing the winning numbers, greed is a common trait that surfaces. The winner may become selfish and excessive, with a desire to have more "stuff" than they could use or enjoy in a lifetime. When the name of the winner is made public, there will undoubtedly be strangers who will beg, manipulate and hassle them for money. And strangers aren't the only ones who will attempt to coerce the winner into giving them money; family and friends often feel that they deserve a portion of the winnings. As a result, the winner begins to feel that they're responsible to financially support other individuals and families. .
After winning the lottery, a person is subject to being overwhelmed because they aren't accustomed to having access to large amounts of money or to their instant fame and community recognition. .
A lottery winner will begin to over analysis events taking place and question the intentions of people around them. They begin to ask themselves, "Are people around for the best interest of them or their winnings." Much insecurity faced by a lottery can result in the lost of their true character.