Figure 1. Chronic Illness Narrative Structures.

Arthur Frank⁷'s 3 narrative types as modified dramatic structure diagrams. (A) The trajectory of a patient whose illness is conducive to a restitution or quest narrative. The patient's goal remains constant and is ultimately attainable. (B) The more complex, tortuous nature of an illness trajectory characterized by chaos. The patient goal is nonlinear and in constant flux, and the bifurcation point represents a point in time where the patient has multiple goals, one of which is above the illness trajectory curve (portraying attainability) and one of which is below the illness trajectory curve (portraying unattainability).