Table 3 Examples of quotes assigned to illness phases and sub-categories of impacting factors
Main categories: Illness trajectory & Impacting factors | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Category | Illness trajectory | ||||
Sub-categories | Prodromal | Downward | Turning | Upward | Chronic |
Category | Impacting factors | ||||
Sub-categories | |||||
Unhelpful medically-related external factors | Three months untreated | The doctor threw me out, wouldn’t have me as her patient. An enigma to the GP. | Not many [health care providers] have knowledge of this | I did not get the [PIFS] diagnosis until March [4 years after the outbreak] | Yes, it is difficult to access help, causes very much frustration |
Unhelpful internal factors | I did not know what it was | I have made wrong choices by trying to keep working | I did not define myself as sick before I could not get out bed | That is obviously what I am still doing [over-estimating my own physical capacity] | I see how I go back to the old pattern again when I start feeling better |
Helpful medically-related external factors | I received a course of antibiotics | Yes, when I got diagnosed [by the neurologist] it was actually a relief | I think some of the sessions [of the education course] were very helpful | ||
Helpful internal factors | [It] just turned when I stared teaming with myself | I have become good at saying no and setting limits | Now, when I have regained some energy, I will contact [friends] again | ||