Table 2 Example quotes for type 2 diabetes concepts

Symptoms

Tiredness

This morning I had a hard time just getting out of bed. I was so tired. Very very tired [27]

Sweaty

Your body talks back to you...it reminds me. A lot of time I feel the diabetes is when it's low. I get sweaty, hot and hungry [23].

Thirst

I used to feel thirsty at night time, but I used to think it was probably...because I had a very bad heating system..."[26]

Hot

Your body talks back to you...it reminds me. A lot of time I feel the diabetes is when it's low. I get sweaty, hot and hungry [23].

Hunger

Your body talks back to you...it reminds me. A lot of time I feel the diabetes is when it's low. I get sweaty, hot and hungry [23].

Aches and pains

That's another meaning of diabetes - getting headaches, dizziness and body aches[24]

Lack of energy

In the morning my energy runs out because my sugar is too low; in the evening it runs out because it is too high[23]

Dizziness

I think it was like feeling dizzy, using the bathroom a lot, tired [26].

Emotional Functioning

Embarrassment

I am ashamed to do it [insulin therapy]. What will others think - that I am a drug addict or something?! [51]

Frustration

I also have two small children and that's a problem...they don't like eatin' the way I eat...I get frustrated..." [34].

Anger

It's the diabetic anger and people will not understand it...it's out of proportion with the event." [27]

Mental health

Anxiety

There are times when I'm here at home alone and I get so anxious as I start to think, 'I don't want to think about eating,' but it's the only thing on my mind - eating, eating, eating....and I start to cry because what's inside I know I cant eat [27].

Depression

Sometimes, knowing that I am diabetic and that I am limited, sometimes if I'm not careful, it can cause depression[56]

Relationships

Partner

My husband does not want to pay attention and refuses to eat less salt and more vegetables and says the diet is disgusting[55]

Friends

All of my friends, every time I run into one of them, the first thing they ask me is 'how's your diabetes?' Here I am trying to forget about my diabetes for a little while, and they remind me of it constantly [27].

Family

Taking care of the kids. I want to have energy for them. You know I take them to the park and they want to play and I don't have enough energy to get up and play with them... [30]

Sexual Functioning

Activity

You get your tired periods, but...you just rest and then you're okay again. I don't have sex as much 'cos I'm tired more. [42]

Desire

My sexual appetite was diminished. [42]

Mental arousal

You're not turned on the same...you yearn for the feelings...but they're just not there[42]

Social Impact

Vacation/holidays

I cant do half of the things I used to...you cant go on vacations with people like you used to because you cant keep up with them...so I stay at home a lot. So then the depression - the whole circle starts again. [31]

Socialising

It wasn't like that before diabetes. No I had a very active social life. I used to go to parties, I went out a lot - all the things someone normally does in his life. Now, I'm always tired. [27]

Constraints

It puts time constraints on us...you're not just free to go out and have a day out to yourself. [31]

Role Functioning

Work

I want to go to work and I don't think I can manage a whole day of work. [30]

Yeah, I guess I was tired. In fact I had a second job I had to stop doping it I was so tired. [26]

Physical Functioning

Activities

It makes me feel old, wasted. I use to go dancing every weekend. I wouldn't stop dancing. If I go to the dance hall, I would dance all the time and now, I cannot[30]

Self Image

Self concept

I am ashamed to do it. What will the others think - that I am a drug addict or something?! [51]

I felt a bit like Frankenstein. I'm injecting someone here! You start looking at yourself more in the mirror and thinking Am I changing? [53].

Activities of Daily Living

Self care

You're always spilling urine, and that is too embarrassing. And you're never clean[23]

Shopping

And you're never clean. That's why you can't go shopping...You know how to try on clothes[23]