(559) 460-0715

Family Therapist
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Services
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Relationship Problems
    • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
    • Postpartum Depression
  • Blog
    • 2016
    • 2017
    • 2018
    • 2019
    • 2020
    • 2021
  • Contact

Recognize Depression’s Bluffs and Play a Winning Hand

Dec 03, 2020

All too often the illogical nature of depression prevents sufferers from finding relief of their symptoms. Many individuals believe that they are doing what is needed to get better but end up feeling worse. The reason? Depression bluffs its afflicted with empty promises, leaving them even more stuck.


Here are a couple examples of how the disorder can trick people into folding to its will along with the corresponding potential unwanted outcome:

  • Depression Bluff: "You don't feel well enough to see your family even though you declined their company on several consecutive occasions. You just need some more me-time and maybe you will feel better."
  • Unwanted Outcome: More social isolation and apathy
  • Depression Bluff: "You might be happier with more sleep; skip your spin class you were looking forward to this morning."
  • Unwanted Outcome: Loss of interest in meaningful activities and guilt

The good news is that the depressed, and not the depression, hold the winning hand in wellness. Often it is the opposite of what the condition encourages an individual to do (or not do) that will end up helping in the long-run. Fortunately, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) can teach sufferers how to recognize when this is the case in order to break from depression's tyrannous grip.


Below are some CBT strategies that can be used to call depression's bluff:

  • Successive Approximation: This term simply means chunking large goals into smaller, more achievable steps. Since depression leaves individuals feeling overwhelmed, this is a way to be more confident in goal-setting.
  • Behavioral Experiments: Many suffering from depression may hold beliefs that may not be completely true. Behavioral experiments can help people test the validity of these thoughts. The spin class "depression bluff" above would be a candidate for a behavioral experiment. Maybe this individual will actually be happier after a workout versus oversleeping. It is worth a try!
  • Pleasant Activity Scheduling: By rewarding progress with activities that one (used to) enjoy and holding time to participate in them, the afflicted individual may see their apathy dissipate and confidence increase.

Depression will always try to bluff and negotiate you out of these tactics; however, it is you holding the winning hand. Now it is your turn to play it. Please contact us to learn more!



Tags: Fresno Therapist, Depression, Depression Therapy, Depression Therapist, Depressed
Category: Depression Counseling

Loading Conversation

Next »
« Previous

Category List

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (27)
Depression Counseling (43)
Couples Counseling (34)
Family Therapy (20)
Anxiety Therapy (63)
PTSD (31)

Tag List

Loss (2)
suffering from depression (1)
Alleviate Anxiety (1)
PTSD and Trauma (2)
Fresno Couples Counselor (4)
new job stress (1)
Holiday Depression (1)
Anxiety Therapist (14)
CBT Teaching Techniques (1)
Grounding Skills (1)
Change (1)
communication (2)
Fresno Anxiety Counseling (3)
CBT Therapy (2)
Poetry (1)
CBT in Fresno (1)
Depressive Disorders (1)
PTSD (25)
Adjustment Disorders (1)
Relationship Anxiety (1)
Couples Communication (2)
Ecotherapy (1)
Death Of A Child (1)
Battling Anxiety (1)
Fresno Family Counseling (1)
Relationship Advice (1)
Fresno PTSD Therapist (5)
Child Therapy (2)
Fresno Couples Therapist (6)
Racing Mind (1)
Fresno CBT Therapist (5)
PTSD Family Therapy (1)
Weight Loss (1)
Depression Healing (1)
Depression Therapist (7)
Family Therapy Options (1)
Seeking Guidance (1)
Distressing Thoughts and Emotions (1)
Young Adults and Anxiety (1)
Family Counselor (1)
Counseling Help (1)
Fresno Couples Counseling (5)
Adolescent Therapy (1)
Families with PTSD (1)
Supporting Your Partner (1)
Narrative Therapy (1)
Fresno Depression Therapy (4)
Fight Anxiety (1)
therapy for anxiety (1)
PTSD Help (2)
Relationship Counselor (2)
Pandemic Anxiety (1)
Treating Anxiety Disorders (1)
Prioritizing Mental Health (1)
Fresno Depression Therapist (2)
Addiction Recovery (1)
Depression Tips (1)
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (1)
Body Image Induced Anxiety (1)
Teen Anxiety (1)
Hygge (1)
Major Depressive Disorder (1)
Therapy Tips (1)
Serotonin (2)
Anxiety in Women (1)
Pets for Anxiety (1)
Anxiety Attack (1)
Teen Depression (1)
Fresno Therapist (77)
Dealing with Loss (3)
Benefits of Couples Counseling (1)
Depression Cure (1)
Marriage Counseling (3)
Anxiety Tips (12)
MBCT (1)
Trauma (5)
family stress (1)
Successful Relationships (1)
Depression Counseling (23)
Anxiety Relief (2)
Self-Quarantining (1)
Stress and Anxiety (1)
Couples Therapy (9)
anxiety therapy in Fresno (1)
Depression Therapy (19)
Handling Anxiety (1)
Family Help (1)
Growth and Healing (1)
Addiction (2)
Health and Counseling (1)
Benefits of Therapy (1)
Severe Anxiety (1)
Risk of Suicide (1)
post-traumatic stress disorder (3)
How to Deal with Anxiety (1)
Fresno Family Therapy (7)
PPD (1)
Get Help (2)
Acute Anxiety (1)
Fresno Depression Counseling (1)
Anxiety (27)
Fresno Therapists (1)
Holistic (1)
Trauma and PTSD (1)
Working Together (1)
Art Therapy for Depression (1)
Depression Counseling Tips (1)
Find a Depression Therapist (1)
Suicidal Teen (1)
Anxiety and Depression Therapy (1)
Fresno CBT Therapy (1)
Family Communication (2)
Child Anxiety Therapy (1)
Toxic Relationships (1)
Reasons to Seek Counseling (1)
Business Anxiety (1)
Fresno Anxiety Counselor (2)
Self-Talk (1)
Mental Health (2)
PTSD Fresno Therapist (1)
Living with PTSD (1)
Talk Therapy (1)
Narrative Exposure Therapy (1)
Blended Families (1)
Therapy Treatments (1)
Counseling for Depression (3)
About Anxiety (1)
Pandemic Struggles (1)
Psychoanalysis (1)
PTSD Counseling (2)
Family Therapy (24)
Cannabis (1)
CBT Treatment (1)
EMDR Therapy (1)
PTSD Symptoms (1)
Overcoming Anxiety (1)
Alleviate Anxiety and Depression (1)
Grounding Techniques (1)
Benefits of EMDR (1)
Bilateral Stimulation (1)
Family Therapist (7)
improve your relationship (1)
Beat Depression (1)
Anxiety Symptoms (2)
Relationship Therapy (2)
Reconcile Relationships (1)
Couples Therapist (5)
Postpartum Depression Relief (1)
Substance Abuse (1)
Relieving Your Anxiety (1)
Anxiety and Dating (1)
Depression Healing Solutions (1)
Frantic Thoughts (1)
Coronavirus Stress (1)
Postpartum Depression (2)
Individual Therapy (2)
Therapeutic Journaling (1)
Fresno Anxiety Therapy (3)
Panic Coping Tactics (1)
Depression Myths (1)
Workplace Anxiety (1)
Fresno Counselor (17)
CBT Help (1)
Couple Counselor. Fresno Couples Counseling (1)
Relief from Anxiety (1)
PTSD Therapy (20)
Fresno CBT (2)
Couples Counseling (28)
Counseling Fresno (1)
Re-building Relationships (1)
Panic (3)
Family Drama (1)
Anxiety Control (1)
Fresno Anxiety Therapyy (1)
Nice Guy vs. Bad Boy (1)
Loving Your Spouse (1)
Anxiety Therapy (41)
Loss of a Child (1)
CBT Counselor (1)
PTSD Therapist (13)
Manage Depression (1)
Panic Attacks (3)
Depression Help (2)
Corona Virus Anxiety (1)
Bankruptcy (1)
Depression Counselor (6)
Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (1)
Fresno Family Therapist (6)
Relationship Help (2)
Defeating Anxiety (2)
Family Counseling (1)
Anxiety in Kids (1)
Covid-19 (1)
Move Forward (1)
Spouse Who Suffers from Anxiety (1)
Pets Help Children with Anxiety (1)
psychotherapy (2)
Adopted Children (1)
Fresno Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (1)
Help Anxiety (1)
EMDR (1)
Therapy (1)
relationships (2)
Fresno Counseling (15)
Marriage Counselor (1)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Exercises (1)
Relieve Your Anxiety (1)
Game Playing (1)
CBT Therapist (9)
Your Mind (1)
Social Anxiety (1)
Banishing Anxiety (1)
Life Changes (1)
Fresno Depression Counselor (3)
What is PTSD (2)
Anxiety Treatment (1)
COVID19 (1)
Starting a New Job (1)
Coping Mechanism (1)
Thinking Positively (1)
Counseling (4)
First Responders (1)
Depression and Anxiety (1)
Self-care (1)
Anxiety and PTSD (1)
Holiday Season Help (1)
Anxiety Counselor (5)
Combatting Anxiety (1)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (3)
Holiday Stress (3)
Alleviating Anxiety (1)
Stress Relief (1)
Have PTSD (1)
Depression Symptoms (1)
Dating Anxiety (2)
What is Ecotherapy (1)
Antidepressants (1)
Coping with Anxiety (4)
Depressed (4)
Feel Better (1)
Depression (21)
Therapy for Depression (1)
Lifestyle Changes (1)
Fresno Therapy (14)
Fresno Couples Therapy (1)
Sadness (1)
Couples Counselor (9)
Dealing with Anxiety (1)
Depression Questions (1)
New Moms (1)
Anxiety Struggles (1)
Struggling with Anxiety (1)
Anxiety Disorders (2)
Fresno Anxiety Therapist (6)
Anxiety in Children (1)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (28)
Psychology (1)
Trauma Therapist (1)
Minimize Anxiety (1)
Anxiety Attacks (1)
Trauma Therapy (1)
Anxiety Therapis (1)
Couples Counselin (1)
CBT Benefits (1)
Cognitive Therapy (1)
Anxiety Help (7)
Parent Relationship (1)
Anxiety Help Methods (1)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (5)
Work Together (1)
Anxiety Counseling (20)
Red Flags (1)
CBT (27)
Stress (3)
Grounding (1)
Communication Classes (1)
Addiction Therapy (2)
Therapy and Depression (1)
Jodi Mitchell Therapist (1)
Anxious (1)
Self-Care Tips for Teens (1)
Healthy Lifestyle (1)
Group Therapy (1)
Relationship Therapist (2)
Therapy Help (1)
A Partner with Anxiety (1)
Fresno PTSD Therapy (4)
Change Thoughts (1)
Reduce Anxiety (2)
Relationship Counseling (7)

Tag Cloud

  • Battling Anxiety (1)
  • Addiction (2)
  • Health and Counseling (1)
  • Couple Counselor. Fresno Couples Counseling (1)
  • Depression Help (2)
  • Help Anxiety (1)
  • PPD (1)
  • Stress Relief (1)
  • Fresno Counselor (17)
  • Relationship Advice (1)
  • Anxious (1)
  • Mental Health (2)
  • Communication Classes (1)
  • Handling Anxiety (1)
  • Addiction Recovery (1)
  • Talk Therapy (1)
  • Fresno Therapist (77)
  • Nice Guy vs. Bad Boy (1)
  • COVID19 (1)
  • Panic Attacks (3)
  • Game Playing (1)
  • Families with PTSD (1)
  • Family Counseling (1)
  • Fight Anxiety (1)
  • Depressed (4)
  • Fresno Couples Counselor (4)
  • Fresno Counseling (15)
  • Fresno Depression Counseling (1)
  • Holiday Depression (1)
  • Defeating Anxiety (2)
  • Self-care (1)
  • post-traumatic stress disorder (3)
  • PTSD Therapy (20)
  • Fresno Family Therapy (7)
  • Anxiety and Dating (1)
  • Re-building Relationships (1)
  • Racing Mind (1)
  • Workplace Anxiety (1)
  • Adopted Children (1)
  • Corona Virus Anxiety (1)
  • Fresno Family Counseling (1)
  • Feel Better (1)
  • Narrative Exposure Therapy (1)
  • Therapy and Depression (1)
  • Relationship Anxiety (1)
  • Coronavirus Stress (1)
  • Anxiety Attacks (1)
  • Distressing Thoughts and Emotions (1)
  • Fresno Family Therapist (6)
  • Hygge (1)
  • Individual Therapy (2)
  • Depression Therapist (7)
  • Loss of a Child (1)
  • Addiction Therapy (2)
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Exercises (1)
  • Family Counselor (1)
  • Spouse Who Suffers from Anxiety (1)
  • Young Adults and Anxiety (1)
  • Counseling Fresno (1)
  • Severe Anxiety (1)
  • Overcoming Anxiety (1)
  • Depression Therapy (19)
  • Treating Anxiety Disorders (1)
  • Anxiety Therapist (14)
  • Struggling with Anxiety (1)
  • Depression Myths (1)
  • Sadness (1)
  • Family Therapy (24)
  • family stress (1)
  • Benefits of EMDR (1)
  • Growth and Healing (1)
  • Anxiety Struggles (1)
  • Family Help (1)
  • Self-Care Tips for Teens (1)
  • Couples Therapy (9)
  • Toxic Relationships (1)
  • Anxiety in Women (1)
  • Cannabis (1)
  • Relationship Therapist (2)
  • Anxiety Counseling (20)
  • Depression Symptoms (1)
  • Anxiety Therapis (1)
  • Dating Anxiety (2)
  • Fresno Anxiety Therapyy (1)
  • Loss (2)
  • CBT (27)
  • Anxiety in Children (1)
  • Your Mind (1)
  • Fresno Therapy (14)
  • EMDR (1)
  • Suicidal Teen (1)
  • Cognitive Therapy (1)
  • suffering from depression (1)
  • Art Therapy for Depression (1)
  • Holiday Stress (3)
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (5)
  • Anxiety Help (7)
  • Bilateral Stimulation (1)
  • new job stress (1)
  • PTSD Therapist (13)
  • Therapy Tips (1)
  • Couples Counselor (9)
  • Risk of Suicide (1)
  • Prioritizing Mental Health (1)
  • Manage Depression (1)
  • Poetry (1)
  • Self-Talk (1)
  • Stress and Anxiety (1)
  • Trauma Therapist (1)
  • Red Flags (1)
  • Fresno PTSD Therapy (4)
  • Working Together (1)
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (3)
  • Social Anxiety (1)
  • Anxiety Therapy (41)
  • Trauma and PTSD (1)
  • Couples Counselin (1)
  • Panic Coping Tactics (1)
  • Business Anxiety (1)
  • Living with PTSD (1)
  • Self-Quarantining (1)
  • Cognitive Behavior Therapy (1)
  • Serotonin (2)
  • What is Ecotherapy (1)
  • Anxiety Symptoms (2)
  • Coping Mechanism (1)
  • Family Therapy Options (1)
  • Holistic (1)
  • Frantic Thoughts (1)
  • Marriage Counselor (1)
  • Relationship Counseling (7)
  • improve your relationship (1)
  • Combatting Anxiety (1)
  • Stress (3)
  • Panic (3)
  • Couples Counseling (28)
  • Grounding Skills (1)
  • Relief from Anxiety (1)
  • Pets for Anxiety (1)
  • Get Help (2)
  • Dealing with Loss (3)
  • CBT in Fresno (1)
  • PTSD Help (2)
  • PTSD Fresno Therapist (1)
  • Depression Questions (1)
  • Healthy Lifestyle (1)
  • What is PTSD (2)
  • Grounding Techniques (1)
  • Anxiety Treatment (1)
  • Seeking Guidance (1)
  • Fresno Couples Counseling (5)
  • psychotherapy (2)
  • Fresno PTSD Therapist (5)
  • Alleviate Anxiety (1)
  • Substance Abuse (1)
  • Anxiety Disorders (2)
  • Alleviate Anxiety and Depression (1)
  • Fresno Anxiety Counselor (2)
  • CBT Benefits (1)
  • Depression Healing (1)
  • Bankruptcy (1)
  • Anxiety and Depression Therapy (1)
  • Have PTSD (1)
  • Reasons to Seek Counseling (1)
  • Change (1)
  • Trauma Therapy (1)
  • Find a Depression Therapist (1)
  • Move Forward (1)
  • Fresno Depression Therapist (2)
  • Ecotherapy (1)
  • Therapy Treatments (1)
  • Counseling (4)
  • Pets Help Children with Anxiety (1)
  • Anxiety Tips (12)
  • Family Drama (1)
  • Blended Families (1)
  • Benefits of Couples Counseling (1)
  • relationships (2)
  • Psychology (1)
  • CBT Teaching Techniques (1)
  • Depression Counseling Tips (1)
  • Acute Anxiety (1)
  • Anxiety (27)
  • Depression Tips (1)
  • Therapy for Depression (1)
  • Fresno Anxiety Therapist (6)
  • Fresno Couples Therapy (1)
  • Child Anxiety Therapy (1)
  • Body Image Induced Anxiety (1)
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (28)
  • Dealing with Anxiety (1)
  • PTSD Symptoms (1)
  • CBT Treatment (1)
  • anxiety therapy in Fresno (1)
  • Anxiety Help Methods (1)
  • Reconcile Relationships (1)
  • Relationship Therapy (2)
  • Anxiety Attack (1)
  • Relationship Help (2)
  • CBT Therapist (9)
  • Parent Relationship (1)
  • Holiday Season Help (1)
  • Fresno Therapists (1)
  • Depression Counselor (6)
  • Antidepressants (1)
  • Coping with Anxiety (4)
  • Depression Counseling (23)
  • Reduce Anxiety (2)
  • Depression Healing Solutions (1)
  • First Responders (1)
  • How to Deal with Anxiety (1)
  • Minimize Anxiety (1)
  • Therapeutic Journaling (1)
  • Relieving Your Anxiety (1)
  • PTSD (25)
  • New Moms (1)
  • Starting a New Job (1)
  • Depressive Disorders (1)
  • Psychoanalysis (1)
  • Fresno CBT (2)
  • PTSD Family Therapy (1)
  • communication (2)
  • Depression Cure (1)
  • Fresno CBT Therapist (5)
  • Work Together (1)
  • Death Of A Child (1)
  • Relieve Your Anxiety (1)
  • PTSD Counseling (2)
  • MBCT (1)
  • Loving Your Spouse (1)
  • Teen Anxiety (1)
  • Therapy (1)
  • PTSD and Trauma (2)
  • About Anxiety (1)
  • therapy for anxiety (1)
  • Trauma (5)
  • Pandemic Struggles (1)
  • Group Therapy (1)
  • Marriage Counseling (3)
  • Jodi Mitchell Therapist (1)
  • Depression and Anxiety (1)
  • Child Therapy (2)
  • Anxiety Counselor (5)
  • Fresno CBT Therapy (1)
  • Grounding (1)
  • Benefits of Therapy (1)
  • Family Communication (2)
  • Fresno Depression Therapy (4)
  • Counseling Help (1)
  • Counseling for Depression (3)
  • Anxiety Control (1)
  • Alleviating Anxiety (1)
  • Life Changes (1)
  • Depression (21)
  • Anxiety and PTSD (1)
  • Fresno Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (1)
  • CBT Help (1)
  • Fresno Depression Counselor (3)
  • Successful Relationships (1)
  • A Partner with Anxiety (1)
  • Couples Communication (2)
  • Fresno Couples Therapist (6)
  • CBT Therapy (2)
  • Fresno Anxiety Therapy (3)
  • Lifestyle Changes (1)
  • Adolescent Therapy (1)
  • Banishing Anxiety (1)
  • Adjustment Disorders (1)
  • Covid-19 (1)
  • Postpartum Depression Relief (1)
  • Anxiety Relief (2)
  • Narrative Therapy (1)
  • CBT Counselor (1)
  • Beat Depression (1)
  • Therapy Help (1)
  • Fresno Anxiety Counseling (3)
  • EMDR Therapy (1)
  • Family Therapist (7)
  • Supporting Your Partner (1)
  • Teen Depression (1)
  • Pandemic Anxiety (1)
  • Major Depressive Disorder (1)
  • Couples Therapist (5)
  • Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (1)
  • Anxiety in Kids (1)
  • Postpartum Depression (2)
  • Weight Loss (1)
  • Relationship Counselor (2)
  • Change Thoughts (1)
  • Thinking Positively (1)
 

Archive

2019

  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

2020

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

2021

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr

Family counseling therapy for marriage, families, behavioral, depression & anxiety by a certified therapist serving:

  • Frenso
  • Kingsburg
  • Oakhurst
  • Vialia

Contact

  • (559) 460-0715
  • jodimitchellmft@gmail.com

©2025 Jodi Mitchell. All rights reserved.