Method:

This is a descriptive, exploratory study with clinical-qualitative approach. The study population comprised 13 people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus, who were selected by intentional sampling, and the sample size was determined by the theoretical data saturation technique. Content analysis was used, following the seven steps according to the clinical-qualitative method.

Results:

Three categories emerged from the analyzed information: (1) Existential suffering; (2) Superior strength in controlling illness; and (3) Illness as a challenge. Discussion: When living with type 2 diabetes, people seek to give sense and meaning to their condition. The repercussion of the experience of living with type 2 diabetes, in this study, revealed that people’s attitudes are related to the way they faced and prioritized the disease in their lives.

Conclusion:

Emotional experiences produced meanings that surpass symptomatological aspects and enabled to identify how these experiences are perceived in social, affective and spiritual dimensions in face of the degree of acceptance and living with the limitations resulting from the chronicity of the disease.

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