Table 1 Definitions of the Illness Perceptions Questionnaire Revised (IPQ-R) subscales

Cause

…about the cause of my illness

Identity

…about the number of symptoms attributable to their condition

Time (acute/chronic)

…about the duration of the condition

Consequences

…that their condition will have serious consequences

Personal control

…in one’s ability to personally influence the outcome of their condition

Treatment control

…that medical treatments will be effective in controlling their condition

Illness coherence

…that condition ‘makes sense’

Timeline cyclical

…that the condition will come and go in cycles

Emotional representations

…that the condition is emotionally distressing