Pessimism
This information handout provides insights into the pessimism schema, which is characterized by negativity - people with this schema assume things are bound to go wrong and that when they do, the worst will happen.
Pessimism
Early maladaptive schemas (or 'schemas' for short) are negative themes or patterns in our thoughts and feelings that persist throughout our lives. This tool will introduce you to the pessimism schema.
Overview
Schema therapy posits that psychological difficulties stem from early maladaptive schemas (EMS) and clients’ characteristic responses to them, referred to as ‘coping styles’. People with a pessimism schema are preoccupied with the negative aspects of their lives, such as loss, strife, and conflict, resulting in chronic anxiety and hopelessness. They believe the worst is likely to happen and place undue attention on potential pitfalls, fueling the perception that problems are ever-present. Concurrently, they tend to overlook, minimize, or discount positive experiences.
This Pessimism information handout forms part of the Psychology Tools Schema series. It is designed to help clients and therapists to work more effectively with common early maladaptive schemas (EMS).
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