Lived experience of young adults recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Introduction: Exploring the lived experience and feelings that each person experiences upon receiving a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) as a chronic disease is important for identifying intervention strategies for comprehensive care.

Objective: To describe the lived experiences of young adults upon receiving a diagnosis of T2DM.

Methodology: A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted with 6 participants between 24 and 39 years of age, of both sexes, recently diagnosed with T2DM with evolution of less than one year. An interview was conducted based on 3 categories: 1) perceptions of the young adults at the time of receiving the T2DM diagnosis, 2) feelings experienced upon receiving the news of the T2DM diagnosis, and 3) recognition of the importance of making the most of each day of their lives.

Results: Category 1 was characterized by the young adults' perceptions at the time of diagnosis, primarily due to a lack of understanding of the condition and anxiety for their families. In category 2, participants primarily expressed denial as a human response of resistance, anger, and guilt following diagnosis.

Conclusion: Young adults with T2DM require personalized interventions to improve their lived experience and strengthen their knowledge, including risk factors and adherence to treatment, to avoid disease complications.