pessimist (extra)

A pessimist is a person who nurtures a consistently negative attitude, expecting the worst of people and of situations. This outlook persists regardless of facts or circumstances that might indicate a more balanced or positive reality. He or she relates to the “half empty glass,” ignoring the fact that the glass is also half full. This type of person typically believes that the world is quite bad and is growing bleaker all the time.

Pessimism is a temperamental trait, whereas depression is a clinical disease. In some instances, both pessimism and depression might be present, and it might be possible that a consistently negative attitude could lead to depression. In terms of treatment, this type of person suffers from a habit of thinking negatively that can be willfully changed through treatments like psychotherapy. Persistent depression, on the other hand, is linked to decreased levels of serotonin and typically requires medication.

For some people, a pessimistic attitude serves as a source of sardonic humor and might even be a coping mechanism. People that fall into this category might feel they are actually warding off negativity by being prepared for the worst. "If you continually expect the worse, you are apt to be pleasantly surprised a lot. If you always expect the best, you may be disappointed frequently." This can be a reasonable rationale for some people.