COVID-19 pandemic experiences among people with epilepsy: Effect on symptoms of co-occurring health conditions and fear of seizure

•A considerable number of PWE experienced more symptoms of existing health conditions and fear of seizure during the initial year of the pandemic (2020).•Fear of seeking healthcare services was associated with both negative outcomes.•Assuring access to health care and reducing social isolation could potentially reduce negative outcomes for PWE.•The fear of seeking healthcare during COVID-19 was associated with both exacerbated co-occurring health conditions and increasing fear of seizure.•Social isolation was associated with exacerbated co-occurring health conditions during COVID-19.•Reduced access to physical healthcare was associated with increasing fear of seizures.