When we work out, our brain releases endorphins and dopamine, which are “feel-good” chemicals. Those same neurotransmitters are released during drug use, as well as other experiences our brain interprets as pleasurable. For this reason, exercise is often recommended to support recovery from mental illness and substance use disorders. Exercise is good for your mind...Read More

It is not uncommon for people who are struggling with their mental health to intentionally inflict physical harm on themselves. March is Self-Harm Awareness Month, so now is a good time to learn more about why people do this and how you can help them. At Cottonwood, in Tucson, Arizona, we treat behavioral health disorders...Read More

Many people who are diagnosed with behavioral health conditions also have a co-occurring eating disorder. At Cottonwood, in Tucson, Arizona, we treat secondary eating disorders as part of our overall behavioral health program. Our eating disorder therapists, registered dieticians, and medical team work together with the rest of our staff, to address the root causes...Read More

An adult, sitting in their therapist’s office, complaining about their childhood, has become a bit of a cliché over the years. Our society tends to tell people to “get over it” or “suck it up” instead of recognizing that there is a reason that childhood adversity is so difficult for people to overcome. At Cottonwood,...Read More

February is Black History Month. Anyone can struggle with mental illness, regardless of age, gender, race, or other demographic features, so mental illness is not unique to people of color. Unfortunately, there are a lot of barriers that still exist, for black people who are struggling with mental health concerns. At Cottonwood, in Tucson, Arizona,...Read More

Often, people who experience mental illness are not diagnosed and do not receive treatment for years after their symptoms begin. This may be partially due to the fact that they and their loved ones do not recognize the early signs of an emerging mental health disorder. At Cottonwood, in Tucson, Arizona, we offer outpatient and...Read More

Body dysmorphia is a debilitating preoccupation with perceived flaws in a person’s own physical appearance. People who experience it become extremely self-conscious and distressed by excessive, repetitive, negative thoughts about their face or body. They are often convinced that others see and judge them for things that may not be obvious or even real to...Read More

Addiction causes a lot of harm to a person’s mind and body, and while they may feel somewhat better after detox, it can take a while for the brain and body to fully bounce back. Sobriety is an important step toward healing this damage, but additional steps can enhance progress.  One of these steps is...Read More

Mood disorders are a category of mental health diagnoses that includes depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, and bipolar disorder. Over 40 million Americans experience one or more of these conditions, which we treat at Cottonwood, in Tucson, Arizona. Mood disorders are far more common than most people think, and failing to recognize the signs can...Read More

If you aren’t used to setting boundaries, it can feel very uncomfortable. Unfortunately, the people you need strong boundaries for are also the ones who are most likely to push back. At Cottonwood, in Tucson, Arizona, we help our patients to practice setting and enforcing healthy boundaries with people in their lives as a way...Read More