Hypervigilance
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Hypervigilance (more accurately understood as Hyper-awareness) is a condition in which the nervous system is filtering sensory information and the individual is in an enhanced state of sensory sensitivity or sensory domination. The name itself is misleading as vigilance is not an interest in violence, but more likely a self defense. These symptoms are unique to the individual's encounters and youth experience. This appears to be linked to a different nervous system which can often be caused by traumatic events or PTSD.[1] Normally, the nervous system releases stress signals in certain situations as a defense mechanism to protect one from perceived dangers. In some cases, the nervous system becomes intermittently or chronically unbalanced, causing a release of stress signals that are unique to the situation. [1] Hyper-awareness may bring about a state of increased anxiety which can cause exhaustion.
All humans experience a perpetual scanning of the environment to search for sights, sounds, people, behaviors, smells, or anything else that is reminiscent of activity, threat or trauma. In this case the individual is avoiding danger. Hypervigilance (hyper-awareness) can lead to a variety of trust issues. The stress created by this lifestyle is not psychosis but a normal human emotion.
Hyper-awareness is differentiated from dysphoric hyperarousal in that the person remains cogent and aware of their surroundings. In dysphoric hyperarousal, a person with PTSD may lose contact with reality and re-experience the traumatic event verbatim. The name itself is misleading as vigilance is not an interest in violence, but more likely a self defense. Many people connect the word to violence by default. Hyper-awareness is more accurate for those seeking to understand the condition.
Hyper-awareness is likely a symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder[2] (PTSD) and various types of anxiety disorders. It is distinguished from paranoia. Paranoid diagnoses, such as can occur in schizophrenia, can seem superficially similar, but are characteristically different.
Symptoms
People suffering from Hyper-awareness may become preoccupied with scanning their environment for possible threats. They might 'overreact' to loud and unexpected noises, exhibit an overactive startle response or become agitated in highly crowded or noisy environments. They will often have a difficult time getting to sleep or staying asleep. These symptoms are unique to their individual encounters and youth experience. [3] Sustained states of hyper-awareness, lasting for a decade or more, will require an immersive positive reinforcement treatment plan in a balanced environment with healthy people. After resolution of the situation demanding their attention, people exhibiting hyper-awareness may be exhausted and will require exposure therapy before returning to normal activities.
See also
References
- ^ a b Lowery-Gionta, Emily G.; May, Matthew D.; Taylor, Rachel M.; Bergman, Elizabeth M.; Etuma, Mahder T.; Jeong, Isaac H.; Simmons, Laurence P.; Ventura, Matthew C.; Capaldi, Vincent F.; Matson, Liana M.; Moore, Nicole L. T. (September 2019). "APA PsycNet". Translational Issues in Psychological Science. 5 (3): 243–275. doi:10.1037/tps0000199. S2CID 203547596. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
- ^ Hypervigilance & Anxiety
- ^ Do you know signs of hypervigilance? by Dr. Joyce Brothers, Seattle PI, August 16, 2006.