Sarcasm Deficiency Syndrome

Suggested Name: Sarcasim Deficiency Syndrome

Suggested Short Name: SDS

Suggested DSM Axis: Axis II

Description:

This disorder is classified by either one (1) of two (2) possible characteristics. Patient is a) unable to hear/distiguish a sarcastic tone when spoken or b) Patient is unable to produce required sarcastic tone causing confusion amongst individuals in a social environment.

Condition suspect to be somewhat related to that of tone deafness though a direct corelation has not been proven and requires further investigation

Data sets currently available that might be re-analyzed in order to support the proposal for a new disorder:

Current statistical analysis suggests this condition occurs mainly in men (fake study results here). Significant corelation was also found with individuals with High IQs with an aptitude for buying new tech gadgets, and owning pocket protectors.

A study of French-speaking children was conducted in in 2005 (Source: Leval)This study concluded that some younger children (age 5) understood sarcasm only when the speaker used a specific intonation. In contrast, older children (over the age of 7) could tell sarcasm simply by the context

No specific determination has been made for a specific age for sarcasm. Some studies indicate children as young as 3 years old could tell when someone was being sarcastic.

If you believe you may have this condition, check out the sarcasm socieity for local support in your area

How Stuff Works: Understanding Sacrasm

Laval, Virginie and Alain Bert-Erboul. "French-Speaking Children's Understanding of Sarcasm: The Role of Intonation and Context." Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, vol. 48, no. 3, June 2005, pg. 610-20.