In reading Jamison’s essay concerning Morgellons disease, a question of the limits of empathy arose. In the context of mental or physical illness, is it possible for an outsider free of the illness to fully empathize with the victim, or just sympathize with them? If not, what factors limit an outsider’s ability to empathize with them? Researching this question led the research group to two scholarly sources:  Empathic Foundations of Clinical Knowledge by Nancy Nyquist Potter and The Challenge of Morgellons Disease by Caroline S. Koblenzer MD. The first source accounts for foundations of empathy and what is needed for one to open themselves to experiencing it, and the second source provides the perspective of a medical professional in their dealings with Morgellons patients.

In Empathic Foundations of Clinical Knowledge Potter argues that empathy “allows us to anticipate the behavior of others, [and is also] morally significant” (Potter, 4). Potter claims that empathy is cultivated through an amalgamation of influences including psychological responses, our imaginations, projection of ourselves into fictional scenarios from books or other stories, a care for the wellbeing of others, and the capacity to recognize certain emotions in others (Potter, 5). However, Potter also explains that the most basic foundations of empathy are present even in infants with undeveloped psychological faculties; with the empathetic responses manifesting themselves in facial mimicry (an innate response). Potter also uses testimony from Greek philosophers to demonstrate that empathy is a virtue that must be developed over time; worked out like a muscle in order to become stronger. Finally, Potter suggests that in order to strengthen one’s empathy, they must travel the world in an effort to knock down any perceived barriers between an ingroup of people from their culture, and an outgroup of those from other cultures (Potter, 14).

In The Challenge of Morgellons Disease discusses the behaviors of Morgellons patients from the first hand account of a medical professional. Koblenzer explains that patients who become obsessed with finding an explanation for their affliction will “‘create’ a ‘cause’ for their symptoms, which makes logical sense to them, and with which they can be  comfortable” (Koblenzer). Koblenzer also states that medical professionals are “familiar” with the delusions that Morgellons patients sometimes have. Koblenzer equates the delusions of Morgellons patients to being similar to “bipolar, paranoia, schizophrenia, depression, and abuse of drugs”. Nevertheless, Koblenzer explains that in order to help the patients, dermatologists must validate the potentially ludicrous claims of the patients in an attempt to get them to take medication which has proven effective in treating the disease.

Works Cited:

Potter, Nancy Nyquist. “Empathic Foundations of Clinical Knowledge.” Oxford Handbooks Online, May 2013, doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199579563.013.0021.

Koblenzer, Caroline S. “The Challenge of Morgellons Disease.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, vol. 55, no. 5, 1 Nov 2006, pp. 920-922. Science Direct, PlumX.