What’s my verdict on Morgellons disease; is it a “disease or delusion” (Jamison 223)? What am I being asked to believe or accept about empathy?  

I cannot say whether Morgellons is a disease or delusion. My instinct is to believe the doctors. If they have done the testing and say nothing is actually there, then nothing is there; however I do believe that these people are suffering and need help. Regardless of whether or not there is something physically wrong with them, they need help. The validity of a persons suffering should not need to be proven. Jamison questions whether simply believing the pain and not the cause is good enough. In a way, offering belief and support of pain is a good thing, but by not believing the cause we disregard a persons experience. I think it is likely that this disease is more about paranoia consuming a person and having detrimental effects on their life. The section on Lenny supports the idea of this being a mental thing. It is very likely that the electrocution simply had a placebo effect. If the person believes they are cured, then they are, but if they believe they are sick, then its the same thing. I believe these people are sick, if not in body then in mind, but I also think saying that would be hurtful and cause for anger so patients. Sometimes empathy is simply about saying you believe a person and making them feel better. Sometimes people just need to have their feelings validated even if you have doubts of your own.