Epilepsy is increasingly recognized to be associated with symptoms and diseases far greater than seizures alone.A partial list includes emotional dysfunction (of which diagnosed psychiatric illnesses are a subset), cognitive dysfunction, sleep disturbances and sexual dysfunction.While the specifics vary, common themes can be found concerning the relationship between the epilepsy and the co-morbid conditions.It is frequently unclear whether or not the seizures are a direct cause of the symptoms, and abnormal electrical activity associated with seizure (ictal or even interictal) may disrupt both near and remote network function.The underlying structural lesion triggering the seizures in the first place may be associated with a compromise or loss of function.Living with a chronic illness, particularly one with the social stigma of epilepsy, can create significant stress which may lead to a variety of secondary symptoms.Symptoms may be the result of adverse effects of the medications used to treat epilepsy.The identification and treatment of these comorbid conditions can make a significant impact on quality of life.Simply counting the number of seizures does not suffice.