Autophagy is a dynamic protective mechanism that degrades macromolecules and organelles within cells to maintain organismal balance. Most eukaryotic cells rely on autophagy to regulate intracellular homeostasis. Under certain stress conditions, such as ischemia and hypoxia, autophagy exerts protective effects to counteract cellular damage. However, selective overactivation of autophagy can lead to a unique form of programmed cell death, distinct from apoptosis and necrosis, termed autosis. This review summarizes the distinctions between autosis and other cell death modalities, the morphological characteristics of autosis, the conditions that induce autosis, and current research progress on autosis, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for further research on autosis and to offer a scientific reference for subsequent studies and future clinical disease treatment.