• Replies 26 replies
  • Subscribers 79 subscribers
  • Views 7728 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Pessimism vs optimism and ASD

Trainspotter

Hi all

This is a bit of a rant and it is not referring to Pessimism to the extent that it causes great anxiety, but to the pessimistic vs optimistic character.

I am constantly labelled a "Pessimist".  I prefer the term "Realist"  Constantly having people supposedly jolly all the time around me I can find annoying. 

I hate this 'glass half empty' thing.  I have told people when they say I'm the 'half empty' person that it depends whether the glass is being emptied or filled..  Example: Do you want a top up.  Answer: No, my glass is only half empty.  That to me is not being negative.  However, if the glass has just been poured and stopped before it is filled:  Why is my glass  only half full? That to me is a negative.

Imagine a news story: "Good news, there was a very bad train crash today but only five people were killed!"  People would be horrified at the insensitivity of that, yet it is the 'optimistic' point of view as many more could have met their demise.

I'm sure there are 'optimistic' people with ASD as well as pessimistic ones.  But why do people insist on putting labels on people and then using it as criticism.  We are what we are!  Some of us try to consider that there may be a downside to some things instead of 'everything will turn out ok'.  Considering that there may be a downside is surely better than being led down an alley with no thought as to what awaits you at the end. 

My 'pessimism' is me and no amount of negative criticism from optimistic people will stop it or 'cure' it!

Parents

  • NAS20054 said:

    One focuses ones attention on the cons, the disadvantages, the bad side of a situation like on the fact that half the glass contents are missing and judging this as bad as a deficiency. And perhaps feeling bad about it.

    One focuses ones attention on the pros, the advantages, the good side of a situation like on the fact that half the glass has contents  and judging this as good as a benefit.

    And perhaps feeling good about it.

    So a pessimistic and negative approach to life can make one feel constantly miserable, but the habit can be broken, and one can choose to pay attention to the flip side of the coin.

    I have seen so many 'optimists' find that the result of their optimism not as they were hoping and resulting in them going into depression. 

    pessimists being pleasantly surprised.  Whatever the result for a pessimist it is a win situation!

    I have never felt down as a result of my pessimism, just smug when I am proved right!

Reply

  • NAS20054 said:

    One focuses ones attention on the cons, the disadvantages, the bad side of a situation like on the fact that half the glass contents are missing and judging this as bad as a deficiency. And perhaps feeling bad about it.

    One focuses ones attention on the pros, the advantages, the good side of a situation like on the fact that half the glass has contents  and judging this as good as a benefit.

    And perhaps feeling good about it.

    So a pessimistic and negative approach to life can make one feel constantly miserable, but the habit can be broken, and one can choose to pay attention to the flip side of the coin.

    I have seen so many 'optimists' find that the result of their optimism not as they were hoping and resulting in them going into depression. 

    pessimists being pleasantly surprised.  Whatever the result for a pessimist it is a win situation!

    I have never felt down as a result of my pessimism, just smug when I am proved right!

Children
No Data