C-B-T
This CBT technique helps you challenge negative thoughts by asking for proof—because sometimes, your brain is about as reliable as a WebMD diagnosis.
What is a Thought court?
cognitive restructuring (or cognitive reframing)
San Diego was the first place in California visited by Europeans when this explorer landed in 1542—though he probably didn’t expect to find so many future taco shops.
Who was Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo?
This diagnostic manual, now in its 5th edition, has expanded so much over the years that some joke it could classify your coffee addiction as a disorder.
What is the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)?
Freud believed that deep-seated desires drive human behavior, but he might have just needed this popular modern coping mechanism instead.
What is therapy? (Or a vacation)?
According to legend, Chuck Norris doesn’t do this common fitness move—instead, the Earth moves away from him.
What is a Push-up?
This CBT coping skill suggests replacing negative thoughts with realistic ones, but sadly, it won’t stop you from regretting that email you sent at 2 AM.
What is positive self-talk?
Nicknamed “America’s Finest City,” San Diego got this title after losing out on hosting this major 1972 political event, proving that sometimes, losing is winning.
What is the Republican National Convention?
Hysteria was once a common diagnosis for women, proving that in the 19th century, this was apparently considered a medical condition.
What is “having emotions” (or “not smiling enough”)?
This famous psychologist developed a hierarchy of needs, but let's be honest—most people just skip to WiFi and coffee at the bottom.
Who was Abraham Maslow?
Scientists believe the universe was created by a massive explosion, but some say it actually began when Chuck Norris did this for the first time.
What is roundhouse kicking?
Instead of avoiding anxiety, CBT tells you to do this to your fears—basically exposure therapy for people who wish they could ghost their problems.
What is "face them head-on" (or exposure therapy)?
In 1915, San Diego hosted the Panama-California Exposition, celebrating the opening of this engineering marvel—because obviously, nothing screams "San Diego" like Central America.
What is the Panama Canal?
In the early days of psychology, schizophrenia was sometimes blamed on this questionable parenting style—because obviously, moms were responsible for everything.
What is the "schizophrenogenic mother"?
In cognitive therapy, patients are encouraged to challenge these automatic, unhelpful thoughts—kind of like arguing with an overdramatic inner narrator.
What are cognitive distortions?
This seemingly unbeatable game was supposedly defeated by Chuck Norris, despite it having no real ending.
What is Tetris?
CBT encourages using behavioral activation to improve mood, which is a fancy way of saying this classic, but somehow impossible, self-care advice.
What is "just go outside and touch some grass"?
opposite action
San Diego’s famous Gaslamp Quarter is known for its nightlife today, but in the late 1800s, it was filled with so many of these establishments that it was nicknamed the "Stingaree District."
What are brothels and saloons?
This disorder, first diagnosed in soldiers during World War I, had a name that sounds more like a horse problem than a psychological condition.
What is shell shock?
This Swiss psychologist famously studied personality types but probably didn’t foresee people using his theories to justify their bad texting habits.
Who was Carl Jung?
According to internet lore, when Chuck Norris enters a room, this scientific concept ceases to exist because Chuck Norris alone decides where things are.
What is gravity?
CBT recommends this simple but powerful relaxation technique (physical), which works great—unless you suddenly forget how to do it mid-panic attack.
What is deep breathing (or diaphragmatic breathing)?
The U.S. Navy has had a strong presence in San Diego for over a century, but sailors probably didn’t expect this peculiar architectural design—shaped suspiciously like a swastika—on a military base, which had to be “fixed” in 2007.
What is the Coronado Naval Amphibious Base?
Before modern diagnostics, ancient Greeks thought mental illness was caused by imbalances in these four bodily fluids—because obviously, the best way to cure depression was with bloodletting.
What are the four humors (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile)?
In operant conditioning, this type of reinforcement makes a behavior more likely to occur—kind of like when your dog gets a treat or you get a like on social media.
What is positive reinforcement?
In one joke, Chuck Norris counted to this impossibly high number—not once, but twice.
What is infinity?
CBT recommends using this strategy to stop overthinking worst-case scenarios—though sadly, it won’t prevent you from replaying that awkward conversation from three years ago at 2 AM.
What is thought challenging (or cognitive defusion)?
In 1978, San Diego attempted to boost tourism by officially declaring itself this type of imaginary land—because nothing says "visit us" like pretending to be a fairytale.
What is "America’s Camelot"? (They actually tried this! It didn’t stick. 😂)
In the 1800s, doctors diagnosed people with “Railway Spine,” a supposed mental disorder caused by this terrifying new invention that clearly stressed everyone out.
What is the train?
This classic psychological test involves interpreting abstract inkblots, but let’s be real—most people just see a butterfly, a bat, or their unresolved issues.
What is the Rorschach test?
When Chuck Norris was born, he did not cry—this natural phenomenon happened to his_____, instead.
What is the doctor cried?
When your brain tells you "everyone hates you," CBT suggests testing that thought with this technique—because, believe it or not, your barista probably isn’t plotting against you.
What is reality testing (or evidence-based thinking)?
In 1971, San Diego tried to rebrand itself as a futuristic city by building these structures in Balboa Park—only for them to start falling apart within a decade, proving that the future isn’t always built to last.
What are the Space Age "Skyride" and "People Mover" (or the failed futuristic transportation projects)?
In the 19th century, some psychiatrists diagnosed runaway enslaved people with this made-up mental disorder—because apparently, wanting freedom was considered a medical problem.
What is drapetomania?
This famous psychologist put his own children through language experiments and conditioning studies—because apparently, nothing says "loving father" like turning your kid into a science project.
Who was B.F. Skinner? (He even designed a "baby box" for his daughter!)
Chuck Norris doesn’t need to do this common human activity—because his body refuses to show weakness.
What is sleep?