Everyone has days when they don’t feel they look their best, or wish they didn’t have a scar or some other type of flaw in their appearance. So when do these feelings actually become a problem? Body dysmorphia, also referred to as body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), is a mental health condition defined by someone’s emotional...Read More

Acronyms and abbreviations can be difficult to decode. They are intended to shorten communication—whether written or spoken—so that we don’t have to use the full name of something over and over. But sometimes that doesn’t really help make things more clear. Sometimes it just makes things more confusing than they need to be. What Does...Read More

It’s challenging to have a mood or mental health disorder, such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, or depression. But certain individuals also have further difficulties opening up about their illnesses to families or within their social circles because of stigmas. This is what many members of the BIPOC community—Black, indigenous, and people of...Read More

Sometimes living healthfully requires more dedicated focus. Stressful work issues, family or relationship problems, recurring trauma, financial difficulties, and even the strain of national or world events all throw obstacles onto your wellness path. If you are in recovery and feeling “off”, it’s important to examine why and reach out for support. Potential Relapse Symptoms...Read More

When you experience anxiety, the last thing you want to hear is there’s nothing to be concerned about, or you should just snap out of it. Some people aren’t as familiar with the way anxiety about, well, everything (and nothing, sometimes) can linger just below the surface of daily life. Anxiety Disorders Are Common The...Read More

When medical professionals talk about mind-body wellness, what does this actually mean? It’s an acknowledgment of the connection between all aspects of self: our physical well-being, our mental and emotional health, and even our spiritual center, or soulful intent. Whole-Person Wellness Without question, medical applications are necessary for progressive health. After all, if you break...Read More

Effective treatment for mental health conditions requires a deep understanding of individuals and their experiences. For Aaron Wilson, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Cottonwood Tucson, that understanding, above all else, must begin with a quest for diagnostic clarity. An inaccurate diagnosis can result in a cascade of issues to follow, such as treatment resistance that...Read More

Numerous therapeutic approaches are used to treat co-occurring substance abuse and mental health diagnoses. At Cottonwood Tucson, in Arizona, we aim to educate our guests about the various options available to support their recovery. One such option is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR was developed to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and...Read More

Eating disorders are complex and frightening for many people. It’s imperative for a person with an eating disorder to receive comprehensive, individualized treatment to regain whole health. Here’s what to expect. What Are Eating Disorders? The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) provides this definition for eating disorders: “serious medical illnesses marked by severe disturbances...Read More

Too often, someone who doesn’t understand addiction as a brain disease might say, “Well, if they really wanted to quit, they would.” This myth is all too common, and makes it even more challenging for people to consider substance abuse treatment and recovery. Willpower alone can’t help stop addiction—but it might aid aspects of recovery...Read More