---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You become aware of an illness by…"
description: "\"You become aware of an illness by understanding yourself and understanding the meaning that that illness has in your own life, symbolically and, more i..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe2/kay-redfield-jamison-1826_aware_you-become-aware-of-an-illness-by-unders_2942986.jpg"
---

#  You become aware of an illness by understanding yourself…

![“You become aware of an illness by understanding yourself and understanding the meaning that that illness has in your own life, symbolically and, more importantly, quite literally.” quote by Kay Redfield Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe2/kay-redfield-jamison-1826_aware_you-become-aware-of-an-illness-by-unders_2942986.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe2/kay-redfield-jamison-1826_aware_you-become-aware-of-an-illness-by-unders_2942986.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe2/kay-redfield-jamison-1826_aware_you-become-aware-of-an-illness-by-unders_2942986.jpg)

> “You become aware of an illness by understanding yourself and understanding the meaning that that illness has in your own life, symbolically and, more importantly, quite literally.”

[Kay Redfield Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-redfield-jamison/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Self‑knowledge of illness, both symbolic and literal, helps integrate its meaning into one's life and promotes healing.

**In simple terms:** Understanding illness reveals its personal meaning.

Key Takeaway

Use self‑awareness to manage health.

Themes

mental health self‑reflection meaning healing psychology

Mood

introspective empathetic

Type

therapeutic philosophical

When to use this quote

- therapy sessions
- journaling
- support groups
- personal counseling

Key Concepts

Narrative therapy psychosomatics identity formation

Questions to Reflect On

- What does your illness symbolize for you?
- How can you honor its role in your story?

A Different Perspective

Stigma may hinder honest self‑assessment.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Illness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illness/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Meaning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meaning/) [Understanding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understanding/) [Understanding yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understanding-yourself/)

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