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New Psychological Disorder Identified
By Li Rapkin
Photo Blatantly Ripped Off from CNN.com
Dr. Franklin
Stein, formerly of Harvard University (Harvard, Idaho), recently
concluded a study that identified a mental disorder common
among long-time political activists--Humor Erosion and Deficiency,
or HEAD. The condition is named for its primary symptom, and
appears to be endemic among the activist community in general,
regardless of political affiliation or preferred causes.
“It’s not exactly news that political activists
are humor-deficient,” Dr. Stein told Shotgun Reviews
in a recent interview. “What we have done is examine
the causes of humor-deficiency and identify a cluster of symptoms
that contribute to HEAD.” According to Dr. Stein’s
research, most long-term political activists tend to develop
an inability to listen to others, uncontrollable urges to
argue even the most insignificant topics, selective deafness,
and creative memory in conjunction with HEAD.
Although the specific causes of HEAD remain unclear, Dr. Stein
suspects that it is a result of the patient’s inability
to cope with being regarded as a lunatic or extremist. “HEAD
cases have an intense, burning desire to be taken seriously,
and as a result, they reject anything about themselves that
may be perceived as humorous, even a sense of humor itself.”
Part of the problem seems to be that HEAD cases are often
not seen by mental health professionals until their condition
is so far advanced as to be irreversible. The true scope of
the tragedy became apparent when Dr. Stein discovered that
HEAD can be treated in its early stages. “However, once
a HEAD case starts exhibiting such behavior as attending political
protests and getting arrested for civil disobedience or inciting
a riot, it’s practically impossible to treat HEAD effectively.”
“HEAD doesn’t just affect an activist, it affects
everyone around that activist,” according to Dr. Stein.
“Mental illness is always a strain on the patients’
loved ones.” Friends and family members of HEAD cases
often report symptoms such as stress, frustration, fatigue,
and headaches after prolonged periods of time in the patient’s
presence.
Dr. Stein is optimistic about the prospects for those who
suffer from HEAD. “Although there is no cure at this
time, we hope that through medication and therapy, political
activists everywhere will soon be HEAD-less.”
Dr. Stein's complete report is in this month's Journal
of Questionable Science.
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