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

Depression is a mental health disorder that causes overwhelming feelings of sadness, lack of energy, and inability to work productively.  There are many emotions connected to depression including anger, frustration, shame, sadness, and anxiety.  Some individuals have a difficult time addressing and expressing negative emotional states, which can make it difficult to properly treat depression....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

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

The Saturday before Thanksgiving is designated as International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day (also known as Survivor’s Day) each year. It is estimated that 49,000 Americans and 700,000 people worldwide end their own lives each year, and this day is set aside to remember them, bring awareness to suicide loss, and offer support to the...Read More

What are the Differences Between Anger and Rage? Anger and rage are two separate emotions.  Anger is a feeling that a person experiences when they have been wronged.  It is appropriate to express anger provided it is done in a healthy manner.  A person who experiences rage has little to no control over the emotion,...Read More

Americans are more focused on mental health than ever. We’re in a strange time in this country’s history, both culturally and emotionally. The Internet has us more connected than ever, yet many of us feel increasingly isolated.  If you think people seem angrier and more confrontational than they were just 10 years ago or so,...Read More