ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on how physical activity relates to the common mental health issue of anxiety, the very serious mental illness of schizophrenia, and the role of physical activity in helping people who are dependent on drugs, alcohol and tobacco. We take an in-depth look at how physical activity relates to these disorders. They contribute significantly to the burden of disease at a population level, and have a tremendous impact on quality of life of individuals and family members, and on the health care system. We describe the potential role of physical activity in the treatment of schizophrenia; define anxiety for clinical and non-clinical populations; summarise the evidence linking exercise with non-clinical states of anxiety, and evidence about exercise and clinical anxiety disorders; and explore the role of physical activity in helping those with dependency on alcohol, drugs and/or tobacco. We also cover exercise dependence, including body dysmorphia.
