Morgellons: a frightening new disease or a new name for a mental illness?

In 2002, biologist Mary Leito’s son developed bundles of fibers along the skin on his face. She investigated the condition and named it Morgellons disease. This kicked off a heated debate that is now being investigated by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

This month, the CDC will begin researching the validity of Morgellons disease. The Morgellons Research Foundation, a non-profit advocacy group, believes that Morgellons is a new infectious disease. The majority of the medical community believes it to be a manifestation of an older disorder—delusional parasitosis.

Delusional parasitosis is a condition that causes the sufferer to believe that he or she is infected with parasites. It is a mental disorder that causes psychosomatic symptoms. Patients with delusional parasitosis often devise inspection and cleansing rituals that can cause lesions to the skin as they search for and try to rid themselves of the imagined parasites. The physical sensations of crawling skin are real, but they are caused by delusion.

The symptoms of Morgellons disease are similar to those of delusional parasitosis. Symptoms include sensations of crawling, biting or stinging along the skin, lesions, bundles of fibers, fatigue, joint pain, vision impairment and mental confusion.

The symptoms of Morgellons not only mimic delusional parasitosis but Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and attention-deficit disorder—except for the phenomenon of the colored fibers that sufferers claim sprout from the skin. Dermatologists currently believe that Morgellons is not an actual disease. They maintain that those who claim to suffer from Morgellons are actually dealing with some form of mental disorder or common skin problem.

Obviously the CDC feels that Morgellons deserves more research. In order to determine whether or not Morgellons is its own separate disease, researchers have to show that it has a common cause and risk factors, and they want to learn whether or not it is contagious. Delusional parasitosis is not contagious, as it is a mental disorder.

The public is still waiting for any definitive answers as to whether or not Morgellons disease is a new problem or an old problem with a new name. The Morgellons Research Foundation is confident that further study will show the disease to be infectious and completely separate from delusional parasitosis, and they look forward to proof when the CDC concludes their research.

© Copyright 2007 Insight Journal Online Magazine.

Join the Discussion:

Discuss Morgellons disease and ask questions in our community forums

Recommended Links:

Sign up for our FREE Health and Wellness Newsletter

Anxiety Learning Center [InsightJournal.com]
ADHD Learning Center [InsightJournal.com]
Depression Learning Center [InsightJournal.com]
Talk About Morgellons Disease in Our Forums [InsightJournal.com Wellness Forum]
News: Psychedelic mushrooms ease symptoms of OCD

View More Articles In Category: Health and Wellness News