AbstractIntroduction : Celiac disease is estimated to affect between 1 in 100 and 1 in 300 Caucasian subjects. Many quantitative studies have explored the issues encountered by these subjects; however, few studies have addressed the subjective and experiential dimensions of celiac disease.Objective : The objective of this qualitative exploratory study is to expand current knowledge concerning the subjective experience of celiac disease and of a gluten-free diet in subjects diagnosed with celiac disease in adulthood.Method : Data was collected through non-directive interviews with 14 subjects aged between 28 and 53 (M = 41.7, SD = 7.48).Results : An interpretive phenomenological analysis identified various themes related to the experience of illness: (1) history of the disease, (2) symptoms, (3) nutrition, (4) perception of medical experiences, (5) relationships with family and friends, (6) psychological implications, and (7) consequences for daily living.Conclusion : The results show the importance of developing a “mythology” (concerning the disease's origin) to enable the inclusion of the condition in the individual's on-going personal story.