Credit: UCLA
The symptom map indicates that the diverticular disease illness experience is complex; patients report a variety of physical symptoms, emotional and social impacts, and disease-specific cognitions(e.g. “something wrong inside,” confusion, fear, self-perception concerns). The map includes four main areas: (1) physical symptoms, (2) cognitions and concerns, (3) behaviors, and (4) impact / consequences. Each area includes secondary and tertiary concepts. For example, under impact/consequences are psychological impacts such as feeling devitalized, stressed, irritated, or depressed.