After reading “Devil’s Bait” by Leslie Jamison, which explained Morgellons disease and how it affects those who have it, our group responded by creating these questions: 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? In order to answer these questions, we found two sources that focused on empathy of doctors for their patients. In the first source, “The Challenge of Morgellons Disease,” written by Caroline S. Koblenzer, empathy for a patient is discussed from the perspective of a medical professional, and in the second source, “Empathic Foundation of Critical Knowledge,” by Nancy Nyquist Potter, the same subject is discussed from a physiological perspective. In both sources, the conclusion is reached that a doctor treating a patient, whether that be a patient with Morgellons or any other mental illness, needs to be able to empathize in order to fully understand how to go about helping the patient.

In “The Challenge of Morgellons Disease,” Koblenzer first explains what Morgellons disease is, and what the patients go through when they have this disease. From here, she explains that although what the patients feel or believe may not have any physical symptoms, it is first and foremost important for a dermatologist to assure the patient that what they feel is in fact what they are experiencing (Koblenzer 921). By recognizing that what a patient feels is valid, even if others have told them it is not, a doctor is able to establish a connection with a patient, which may in turn allow them to understand what would best help them. Dermatologists are then able to explain that what they are feeling is a different issue other than a skin issue, and can refer them to other sources that may benefit them. Even though these doctors cannot give a specific reason or diagnosis for their problem, by empathizing with the patient and affirming that that what they feel is actually happening for them, it is easier to help out this patient in a way that they may have never been helped before. This is helpful as it links the original article, “Devil’s Bait,” to our question, as it does specifically address Morgellons disease. However, this can be used to understand how to address and show empathy to people who have other mental illnesses.

In “Empathic Foundation of Critical Knowledge,” Potter first explains that it is extremely important for a clinician to have empathy, even if it may be difficult to do so since they cannot fully see or understand a patient’s condition. She explains that although it may be difficult to have empathy for a patient, doing so allows the clinician to truly grasp what others may be feeling and why they may be feeling this way, and then find a way to potentially go about solving this issue. She goes on to explain how one should go about feeling empathy for a patient, and describes “world-traveling,” which is a process thought up by Maia Lugones. When “world-traveling,” a clinician is able disconnect from the way they view the world to instead process the world the way the patient views and understands it, and thus is able to understand what it is to be the patient (Potter 13). This is a methodology that can lead a clinician to have empathy. This source helps to answer our question as it explains how one could potentially empathize with a mentally ill patient, and it explains that empathy is necessary so that a treatment can be found for the patient.

Works Cited

Jamison, Leslie. “Devil’s Bait.” The Empathy Exams, pp. 27-56.

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

Potter, Nancy Nyquist. “Empathic Foundation of Critical Knowledge.” Oxford Handbook Online, May 2013.