“I'm not what I used to be”: A qualitative study exploring how young people experience being diagnosed with a chronic illness

Although young peoples' experience of living with chronic illness has been widely explored, the aftermath of diagnosis has been underresearched from their perspective. This study contributes to this knowledge gap by illuminating how young people experience a chronic illness diagnosis and negotiate the resulting changes to their identity, relationships, and future. The findings suggest that young people need preparation and support in disclosing their diagnosis to others. Professionals supporting young people with long-term conditions need to work closely with specialist mental health services to ensure that they receive appropriate emotional support. Schools have an important role in ensuring young people with long-term conditions achieve their academic potential and receive appropriate careers advice.