Autodiagnosis

/ˌɔːtədaɪəɡˈnoʊsɪs/ noun

Definition

The diagnosis or identification of one's own illness, condition, or problem without professional help, often done through self-examination or research.

Etymology

From auto- (Greek 'self') + diagnosis (from Greek dia- 'through' + gnosis 'knowledge'). This term emerged in medical contexts as self-care and internet research became more common.

Kelly Says

The rise of autodiagnosis is literally changing medicine—doctors now say many patients arrive with detailed symptom lists from online research, sometimes accurate and sometimes hilariously wrong. Language evolved to name this modern behavior.

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