Mid 17th century; earliest use found in Henry More (1614–1687), philosopher, poet, and theologian. Originally from Hellenistic Greek αὐτοπάθεια one's own experience from αὐτοπαθής (of pronouns) reflexive (from ancient Greek αὐτο- + -παθής) + -εια. In later use probably independently re-formed from auto- + -pathy.