Morgellons disease is a very strange condition characterized by brightly colored "fibers" that seem to appear out of nowhere underneath affected individuals' skin, as well as pain and lesions. Morgellons patients typically become very agitated by their condition and many have clamored for a rigorous scientific study that would take their condition seriously and stop tossing it out as merely a mental illness. They finally got their first wish for a scientific study, but many are still extremely disappointed about the outcome of that study.
Researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control conducted a study of patients in the Bay area affected by Morgellons disease. However, they ultimately concluded that Morgellons is likely a mental illness and should be treated with psychiatric drugs similar to those prescribed for people who suffer from delusions. Previous hypotheses about the causes of Morgellons included environmental pollutants or infectious disease. However, the CDC researchers say that is very likely not the cause of Morgellons. Most affected by Morgellons aren't ready to accept the CDC's findings.
Other doctors aren't convinced that Morgellons is simply a delusion of the mind. Dr. Raphael Stricker, a Lyme disease specialist who also says he is affected by the disease. The CDC researchers point out that there is no doubt that Morgellons patients are very sick and that many experience chronic fatigue and cognitive problems. Nevertheless, they say that the alleged "fibers" growing out of patients' skin are likely pieces from clothing those individuals were wearing that got stuck. They say that these patients are very sick, but disagree with Morgellons patients as to what is causing their illness.
