 My eight year old son is very bright, and although he's never been tested I believe he is gifted because he has so many of the sensitivities I have read about. I'm always trying to learn more so I can be the best parent I can for him....
 He is so hard on himself! He seems very negative at times and when we try to address normal discipline/parenting things he takes it to a level that is upsetting to see. He cares about others so much- has an uncanny awareness of many social situations- and yet won't give himself a break. We find that using humor helps, but I was wondering if anyone can offer other suggestions?
   For example, he is totally distracted at gym class if he sees a kid do something ( like shoving) to another, and even if it has nothing to do with him, he will watch, upset, mention it to an adult, or intervene himself. If I later ask about gym class, or praise him for helping another child ( if he did), he doesn't seem to "get " the complement and will instead get upset all over again about what happened. I might reassure him that the adults can handle things, or use humor a bit, or tell him that's how some kids act when they can't find their words quickly enough, or whatever...
 Normal reminders to walk when holding scissors upset him. He'll say "Can't I get through one day of my life without being told to change my behavior?" If I ask him to please come to me when I ask him to ( for anything) he will say "yeah you probably called me three times and I ignored you, right? I don't know how you can think I am such a great kid when I do things like this." He is beginning to sound like Eeyore. Which I tell him. Which gets him to smile. Bear hugs snap him out of it, things like that- but if anyone can offer some suggestions I would love to hear them. Thanks!
The author has another book on anxiety that is also excellent. Seligman's Optimistic Child book is also good. Both will give you ideas for how to encourage more positive thinking.
