1. Chapter 11
Mental Health

2. Learning Objectives
Learn about major mental health problems—depression, and anxiety.
Understand the role physical activity has in the prevention and treatment of depression and anxiety.
Learn about stress and the ability to adapt to stress.
Learn the mechanisms that allow physical activity to contribute to mental health.

3. Depression
Feelings of despair
Widespread among young people

4. Prevalence of Psychic Disorders

5. Symptoms of Major Depression
Depressed mood
Loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities
Significant weight loss unrelated to dieting
Insomnia or hypersomnia
(continued)

6. Symptoms of Major Depression
Psychomotor agitation or retardation
Fatigue or loss of energy
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

7. KEY
POINTS
Depression is associated with imbalances in neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that influence the activity of the brain cells that regulate mood, pleasure, and rational thought.
The benefits of physical activity for helping prevent depression usually occur regardless of people’s age, gender, race, or socioeconomic status.

8. Treatments for Depression
Psychotherapy
Drug therapy
Physical activity

9. KEY
POINT
Being sedentary increases the risk for depression, but high levels of physical activity may not be any more protective than moderate amounts of physical activity.

10. Anxiety Disorders
Extreme apprehension or worry with restlessness, tension, and elevated breathing and heart rate
Phobias—fear of objects, places, or situations
Panic disorder—repeated episodes of intense fear without an obvious cause
(continued)

11. Anxiety Disorders
Obsessive-compulsive disorder— repeated thoughts and behaviors that seem impossible to stop
Generalized anxiety disorder— excessive worry about everyday events, lasting at least six months
State anxiety—fluctuating, transient, or temporary
Trait anxiety—constant and persistent

12. Causes and Treatments for Anxiety Disorders
Genetic risk
Life events
Brain chemical imbalances
Treatments
Psychotherapy
Drug therapy

13. KEY
POINTS
Physical activity may reduce anxiety and depression by temporarily distracting you from worries or symptoms; it may also produce more lasting changes in self- esteem, improved sleep, and several biological adaptations that help reduce anxiety and depression.
Aerobic exercise that lasts for about minutes is associated with the largest reductions in self-rated symptoms of anxiety, as long as the exercise intensity is between % and 90% of maximal heart rate.

14. Stress Response of the mind and body to a stimulus or stressor
Bad stress or stressors (for example, illness in the family)
Good stress or stressors (for example, moderate physical activity)
Not all stress is bad!

15. The Nature of Stress and Adaptation

16. KEY
POINT
The chronic wear and tear of stress can contribute to a poor quality of life and increased risk of diseases such as coronary heart disease and hypertension as well as suppression of the immune system.

17. How Does Physical Activity Improve Mental Health?
Complex set of reasons and mechanisms
Improved self-esteem
Improved sleep
Biological adaptations

18. Biological Adaptations
Hypotheses:
Body warming
Increase in blood flow to brain
Release of endorphins
Alleviates imbalance within autonomic nervous system
(continued)

19. Biological Adaptations
Stimulates brain neurotransmitters and release of other chemicals
Dopamine
Serotonin
Noradrenaline