Other psychological impacts were also prominent in patients’ accounts of living with GCA. These included symptoms of low mood or depression mentioned earlier but reduced confidence, fear and uncertainty were also common themes.

'Psychologically, I suppose, you just feel down a bit and you’re really fed up...I’m afraid, under the steroids it was really nasty. I’m normally a happy, probably as you gather, chatty bunny. I became quite an intolerant bastard and wouldn't put up with anything. I honestly believe that when they upped the dose I should have been locked up, kept out of people’s way'. Peter, 70.

(Liddle J, Bartlam R, Mallen CD, et al)