Autopathography

/ˌɔːtəʊpæˈθɒɡrəfi/ noun

Definition

A written account or description of one's own disease, suffering, or mental/physical condition; a personal illness narrative.

Etymology

From Greek autos (self) + pathos (suffering) + graphia (writing). A modern term combining autobiography with pathology, used especially in medical humanities and psychology.

Kelly Says

Medical schools now encourage autopathography—having patients write about their own illness experiences—because it helps future doctors understand the human side of disease beyond lab numbers. Your personal story matters.

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