Pathography (/pəˈθɒɡrəfi/), is a term used to describe a written work detailing the illness or medical conditions of someone, usually a famous person. The spelling is derived from the Greek word "pathos", meaning "suffering", and "graphy", meaning "to write". The IPA phonetic transcription for "pathography" is /pə-ˈθä-grə-fē/. Although not commonly used in everyday language, pathography is widely used in academic research and medical literature to discuss the social and cultural implications of illness and disease.
Pathography refers to a literary genre or form of autobiographical writing that focuses on the portrayal of the author's physical or mental illness, medical experiences, or suffering. The term combines the Greek words "pathos" meaning suffering, pain, or experience, and "graphia" meaning writing or description. Pathography can encompass a range of themes, including the author's personal journey with illness, coping mechanisms, medical treatments, encounters with healthcare professionals, and their emotional and psychological responses to their condition.
Pathography often serves as a means for individuals to share their lived experiences with illness, raising awareness, providing solace to others facing similar challenges, or simply expressing their innermost thoughts and emotions. It allows the author to tell their own story from a deeply personal perspective, shedding light on the complex and often difficult aspects of living with a disease or medical condition.
Through pathography, individuals can challenge societal stigmas and misconceptions surrounding illness and offer a more nuanced understanding of the human experience. Readers may find solace and comfort in these narratives as they recognize their own struggles, fostering a sense of connection and empathy. Pathography thus invites readers to view illness and suffering through the eyes of those directly affected, promoting compassion and understanding while broadening perspectives on health and well-being.
A treatise on or description of disease; a treatise on pathology.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "pathography" is derived from the combination of two Greek roots: "pathos", meaning "suffering" or "disease", and "graphia", meaning "writing" or "description". Together, these roots form the term "pathography", which refers to the writing or description of someone's physical or mental illness experiences and struggles.