How do you handle that? Some of the people GM and players in my group can't really get a grip on that.
In many cases in the book it appears that Success with Despair is actually a failure.
For example firing into melee if you get Despair you hit an ally, instead of the intended target (pg 210).
Other examples are in the skills section...
Medicine you are treating someone for an injury and roll a success but get Despair and the book suggests that you then actually inflict an injury.
Deception the threat and Despair suggestions seem to conflict with the success result, Despair particularly says the target realizes they are being lied to.
Resilience is another example you can use it to resist the damaging effects of toxins, and be successful but the Despair result suggests you suffer a critical injury.
Edited by NTLBagpuss