Table II.

Theme, categories, and subcategories.

Subcategory	Category	Theme
Becoming increasingly aware of one’s body image	Captivated by a disintegrating body	An uncertain uphill battle against a divergent body and societal ignorance
Resign to the illness
Struggle with unfavourable physical symptoms	Face the impairments of a chronic condition
Be limited compared to others
Have strategies for adapting to the condition
Feel different and singled out	Experience social exclusion
Face disbelief and receiving negative comments
Have shifting experiences of relations and intimacy	Need emotional support to go on
Be acknowledged for having problems
Act as a detective searching for information	Mull over an insecure future
Tackle anxiety and worries due to progressive deterioration