ObjectiveTo investigate the anxious level of people with epilepsy (PWE) during the outbreak of 2019 Novel Coronavirus Diseases (COVID-19) and explore the reasons of anxiety.MethodsAn internet questionnaire survey were conducted on the anxiety state of PWE and health controls (HC) aged 18 to 45 years old between Feb 9, 2020 and Feb 17, 2020. The questionnaire included demographic information, general status and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).ResultsIn all, 148 PWE and 300 HC were included in this study. The total SAI score (46.72±9.98 vs. 41.77±10.20, P<0.001) and the total TAI score (44.18±8.88 vs. 31.27±17.44, P<0.001) were significantly higher in PWE than in HC. PWE concerned most (69.9%) about the difficulty of obtaining antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) while HC concerned most about the lack of face masks (73.3%).ConclusionHigh anxious level in PWE during the outbreak of COVID is probably due to the difficulty of obtaining AEDs. Thus, the society should strengthen the solution of the problem of purchasing AEDs and conduct timely psychological counseling.