Physical Activity
Prof. Vancampfort
Mental health vs mental disorder
Without mental health there can be no true physical health!
Mental health and mental illness are related, but distinct
dimensions: one continuum indicates the presence or absence of
mental health, the other the presence or absence of mental illness
→ mental health is more than just the absence of a mental illness
Mental health
WHO: a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities (feeling competent),
can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a
contribution to his or her community
• Foundation for well-being and effective functioning for an individual and for a community
Well-being
Two traditions of well-being research are currently distinguished:
• Hedonic well-being
• Eudaimonic well-being
Hedonic approach
• Involves pleasure attainment and pain avoidance
• Having fun: being social, buying stuff → happiness
• Sometimes risky activities (drinking, smoking, skydiving) to find happiness
In 1980s and 1990s there was some discomfort with the narrow portrayal of well-being of hedonic
tradition
→ In 2000s: well-being defined in terms of individual strivings and optimal functioning = eudaimonic
well-being
Eudaimonic approach
6 elements (multidimensional)
• Pursuit of personal fulfilment, meaningful life
, • People need to feel save and loved, and have room for self-improvement
Momentary associations between physical activity, affect and purpose in life
• Physical activity related to feelings of purpose and more positive emotions
• Physical activity and positive well-being are interconnected and reinforce each other in daily
life
Mental illness
= A disorder diagnosed by a psychiatrist/ psychologist
• Disorder significantly interferes with a person’s cognitive, emotional, social and often also
motor abilities
• Mental disorders are worldwide the leading cause of years lived with disability
• Encompass a wide variety of signs, symptoms and experiences
• There are typically classified according to the diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders (DSM-5, American Psychiatric Association) or International Classification of
Diseases (ICD-10, WHO)
From mental health problem to mental illness Examenvraag!
1. Mild symptoms: there is something not right
2. Symptoms increase: interfere with daily life activities and roles (father role)
3. Symptoms begin to interfere and impair – begins searching treatment and diagnosis is made
4. Symptoms persist and ruin life (10-15% of people get here)
,Anxiety disorders
More women
Younger people
Depressive disorders
Slightly more women
Younger people
Prevalence of mental disorder
Lifetime prevalence: ¼
Year prevalence: 15%
, Mental disorders
Comorbidity of mental illness and substance use disorders
Common risk factors can contribute to both mental illness and substance use disorders
• Many genes can contribute to the risk of developing both a substance use disorder and a
mental illness
• Environmental factors (e.g. social deprivation, traumatic events) may contribute to the
development of mental illnesses or a substance use disorder
Mental illnesses can contribute to drug use and substance use disorders
• Research suggests that people with mental illness may use drugs or alcohol as a form of self-
medication
• Although some drugs may help with mental illness symptoms, sometimes this can also make
the symptoms worse
• When a person develops a mental illness, brain changes may enhance the rewarding effects of
substances, predisposing the person to continue using the substance
Substance use and addiction can contribute to the development of mental illness
• Substance use may change the brain in ways that make a person more likely to develop a
mental illness
Anxiety vs depression
Prof. Vancampfort
Mental health vs mental disorder
Without mental health there can be no true physical health!
Mental health and mental illness are related, but distinct
dimensions: one continuum indicates the presence or absence of
mental health, the other the presence or absence of mental illness
→ mental health is more than just the absence of a mental illness
Mental health
WHO: a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities (feeling competent),
can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a
contribution to his or her community
• Foundation for well-being and effective functioning for an individual and for a community
Well-being
Two traditions of well-being research are currently distinguished:
• Hedonic well-being
• Eudaimonic well-being
Hedonic approach
• Involves pleasure attainment and pain avoidance
• Having fun: being social, buying stuff → happiness
• Sometimes risky activities (drinking, smoking, skydiving) to find happiness
In 1980s and 1990s there was some discomfort with the narrow portrayal of well-being of hedonic
tradition
→ In 2000s: well-being defined in terms of individual strivings and optimal functioning = eudaimonic
well-being
Eudaimonic approach
6 elements (multidimensional)
• Pursuit of personal fulfilment, meaningful life
, • People need to feel save and loved, and have room for self-improvement
Momentary associations between physical activity, affect and purpose in life
• Physical activity related to feelings of purpose and more positive emotions
• Physical activity and positive well-being are interconnected and reinforce each other in daily
life
Mental illness
= A disorder diagnosed by a psychiatrist/ psychologist
• Disorder significantly interferes with a person’s cognitive, emotional, social and often also
motor abilities
• Mental disorders are worldwide the leading cause of years lived with disability
• Encompass a wide variety of signs, symptoms and experiences
• There are typically classified according to the diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders (DSM-5, American Psychiatric Association) or International Classification of
Diseases (ICD-10, WHO)
From mental health problem to mental illness Examenvraag!
1. Mild symptoms: there is something not right
2. Symptoms increase: interfere with daily life activities and roles (father role)
3. Symptoms begin to interfere and impair – begins searching treatment and diagnosis is made
4. Symptoms persist and ruin life (10-15% of people get here)
,Anxiety disorders
More women
Younger people
Depressive disorders
Slightly more women
Younger people
Prevalence of mental disorder
Lifetime prevalence: ¼
Year prevalence: 15%
, Mental disorders
Comorbidity of mental illness and substance use disorders
Common risk factors can contribute to both mental illness and substance use disorders
• Many genes can contribute to the risk of developing both a substance use disorder and a
mental illness
• Environmental factors (e.g. social deprivation, traumatic events) may contribute to the
development of mental illnesses or a substance use disorder
Mental illnesses can contribute to drug use and substance use disorders
• Research suggests that people with mental illness may use drugs or alcohol as a form of self-
medication
• Although some drugs may help with mental illness symptoms, sometimes this can also make
the symptoms worse
• When a person develops a mental illness, brain changes may enhance the rewarding effects of
substances, predisposing the person to continue using the substance
Substance use and addiction can contribute to the development of mental illness
• Substance use may change the brain in ways that make a person more likely to develop a
mental illness
Anxiety vs depression
