How can cognitive status predispose to psychological impairment?

A significant proportion of people report cognitive impairments, in particular memory problems, and express concern that these impairments will worsen with the passage of time. Unfortunately, the lack of well-designed studies has meant that disentangling the relative influences of factors likely important in the development and course of neuropsychological impairment has proved problematic. In addition to experiencing neuropsychological difficulties, people with epilepsy have to manage the psychosocial sequalae often associated with epilepsy. A diagnosis of epilepsy can have negative implications for quality of life and be associated with an increased risk of psychosocial problems; and individuals with epilepsy do not all experience its impact equally. The impacts of neuropsychological functioning on quality of life have only been rarely investigated, but there is some evidence to suggest that quality of life may correlate better with self-perceived cognitive difficulties than with scores on formal tests of cognitive functioning.