Does having Asperger's make it hard to think positive?

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The power of the mind is great and humans have historically overcome great obstacles by "thinking positive" and believing in themselves. I try to have a strong will and though I can get bogged in negativity, I am aware it is self defeating to do so.

All those close to me always complain about "how negative" I am. I don't consider myself negative. I consider myself realistic. Life isn't all sunshine and rainbows, and since I absolutely hate unpredictability, it's better for me to assume that things will go wrong and plan what to do if that happens.

I find it very easy to think positive and I like to live my life to the fullest.

Most people say that I think negatively, I say that I think realistically.

It's called positive self-talk. It can be learned. I really recommend a book by Shad Helmstetter called "What to say when you talk to yourself".

I had very good habits of positive self-talk as a kid and lost it after various traumatic experiences in life. I realized there was a name for it after reading about Shad's work and hope to re-train myself with those habits someday.

Funny how you don't know what you've got until it's gone.

In my own experience, yes. I'm very depressed most of the time, and I have a difficult time looking on "the brighter side" of things. I dwell on negative a lot of the time.

I was always told I had a mind of my own.

Oh crap that list makes me want to vomit, like I felt nausea when I read it so I am not quoting the post ...I guess I wouldn't react to well if people said that to me in a conversation. I'm not intrested in all that I prefer since crap sucks now(stay in the moment right at least that's what therapists tell me) but what it only applies to good things. So I am more intrested in getting through the moment and some far off possibility that it might actually get better doesn't tend to do the trick. Not good at self deception.

Anyways I think its more likely its depression which can go along with aspergers that makes it hard to think positive. But not everyone with aspergers has depression so I imagine some have a more positive perspective.

NT's problems use to be psychological, not neurological. So thinking positive is a good general strategy in this case, it's like having a healthy diet. Of course, talking about a neurological issue and positive thinking is like telling a guy with diabetes that it's all about having a healthy diet. It's not that eating vegetables is a bad thing at all, but when it comes to a problem like diabetes, well...

Me and nearly everyone on the spectrum I have encountered seem to be very analytical, honest and rational; many people call this being a "realist". I go in loops sometimes, I guess but that usually is a negative sign; I mostly attempt to think of every possible outcome/scenario(0-∞).

I agree with you CockneyRebel.

Sure, there are challenges---everyone has challenges no matter if they have autism or not. I enjoy the talents and gifts that autism has given to me. I use those talents and gifts as much as I can. I enjoy being autistic.

Do I socialize? Well...not very much. Do I want to socialize? No. I enjoy my life the way it is.

I can compare autism to automobiles. Some autos are meant for racing, and some autos are meant for being taxi's. Other autos are meant for this...and others for that. You can't expect a two seat car to become a taxi, or an ice cream truck to become a race car. The automobile performs the tasks it is designed to do---while not doing the other tasks it is not designed to do. Autism is like that---there are certain things it allows me to do well like music and writing---and other things that it causes me challenges in, like socializing.

At this point in my life---I am satisfied and happy with my life. I am glad to have been born autistic.

It's actually pretty difficult for me to remain positive. I'm sick half the time, my grades fluxuate when I'm not focused on them, my dad pisses me off, also dealing with past trauma still, etc.

It's the effort to remain positive that I usually go for, even if it fails. There's a lot of good things out there if you're willing to look for them.

I'm neither an optimist nor a pessimist.
I'm a realist.

Many times people say that I'm pessimist, which I never agree because I always see myself as a realist. I can't think that good things will happen if there is no evidence or facts that there is something that will lead to good things. Is it being negative? I never think so but people around me always say that it's being negative. I do find people in general are confusing.

A very good on-line cognitive psychotherapist adviced me to technically dig up a positive thought whenever I discover, that I am going into a negative loop.
Pessimist - realist- whatever. We can´t save the world.
It doesn´t have to be related to anything, or be of a relevant "size" compared to the negative thought-spiral. You can be thinking of you miserable life, your social mishaps, your broken education and be well on your way to become suicidal.
The train can be stopped by a simple positive thought, like "My, what a color on that flower!" "Very cosy thunder!" "I actually handlede this or that well" or even smaller things. The point is ANTIDOTE. Don´t think about the "truths". This is psycho-technique! Look for even the smallest sparks of positive feelings.
It can be a little hard to do, if you´re prone to let the dark thoughts lead you, but it pays off (not that I am good at it yet).
The more antidote, the stronger "happiness-muscles".
That is more or less what its about, - and about handling that autistic persistance..... and If we still want to save the world, we better start by working on creating positive energy in ourselves

I have also characterized myself as a realist (as opposed to an optimist or pessimist). However, most people I know (which is not a lot – LOL) consider me quite pessimistic. I never understood it.

Any thoughts on the difference between being a realist and a pessimist??