Search results
People also ask
Is hypervigilance a symptom?
What does hypervigilance mean?
Is hypervigilance a personality trait?
Is hypervigilance a mental health problem?
What is hypervigilance & paranoia?
Is hypervigilance a good thing?
Nov 16, 2023 · Always on Alert: Causes and Examples of Hypervigilance. Causes range from psychological conditions like PTSD to physical conditions like fibromyalgia. You’re walking to your car late at night ...
- Overview
- Hypervigilance symptoms
- Causes of hypervigilance
- Hypervigilance treatment
- Coping with hypervigilance
You may experience sweating, faster heart rate and shallow breathing with this state of increased alertness. You may be sensitive to your surroundings and feel alert to hidden dangers that might not be real.
Hypervigilance is a state of increased alertness. If you’re in a state of hypervigilance, you’re extremely sensitive to your surroundings. It can make you feel like you’re alert to any hidden dangers, whether from other people or the environment. Often, though, these dangers are not real.
Hypervigilance can be a symptom of mental health conditions, including:
•post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
•anxiety disorders
•schizophrenia
Physical symptoms
Physical symptoms may resemble those of anxiety. These may include: •sweating •a fast heart rate •fast, shallow breathing Over time, this constant state of alertness can cause fatigue and exhaustion.
Behavioral symptoms
Behavioral symptoms include jumpy reflexes and fast, knee-jerk reactions to your environment. If you’re hypervigilant, you may overreact if you hear a loud bang or if you misunderstand a coworker’s statement as rude. These reactions may be violent or hostile in a perceived attempt to defend yourself.
Emotional symptoms
The emotional symptoms of hypervigilance can be severe. These can include: •increased, severe anxiety •fear •panic •worrying that can become persistent You may fear judgment from others, or you may judge others extremely harshly. This may develop into black-and-white thinking in which you find things either absolutely right or absolutely wrong. You can also become emotionally withdrawn. You may experience mood swings or outbursts of emotion.
Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the most common causes of hypervigilance. If you have generalized anxiety disorder, you might be hypervigilant in new situations or environments that you’re unfamiliar with. If you have social anxiety, you may be hypervigilant in the presence of others, especially new people or people you don’t trust.
PTSD
PTSD is another common a cause of hypervigilance. PTSD can cause you to be tense. You may constantly scan the area for perceived threats.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia can also cause hypervigilance. Hypervigilance can worsen other symptoms of the condition, such as paranoia or hallucinations.
Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is often effective at helping to treat anxiety. In these sessions, you’ll talk about your past experiences as well as your current problems and fears. Your therapist will guide these conversations. Your therapist can help you identify what causes your hypervigilance and how to deal with it. Exposure therapy: Exposure therapy can be helpful if you have PTSD. Exposure therapy allows you to safely face fears and memories of trauma slowly so that you can learn how to manage the flashbacks and anxiety. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR combines exposure therapy with guided eye movements. This can ultimately change how you react to traumatic memories.
Online therapy options
Read our review of the best online therapy options to find the right fit for you. Was this helpful?
Medication
Severe cases of anxiety and PTSD may require more intensive treatment, including prescription medications. Medications can include: •antidepressants •beta blockers •non-addictive anti-anxiety medications, like buspirone Schizophrenia may also be treated with medications, such as antipsychotics. Learn more: Complementary and alternative treatments for schizophrenia »
Through therapy, you may learn new ways to cope with episodes of hypervigilance and anxiety. Here are some strategies that can help:
•Be still and take slow, deep breaths.
•Search for objective evidence in a situation before reacting.
•Pause before reacting.
•Acknowledge fears or strong emotions, but don’t give in to them.
•Be mindful.
Dec 11, 2023 · Hypervigilance and paranoia are signs of mental health disorders such as bipolar disorder, anxiety, schizophrenia, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Accordingly, the most prominent sign of PTSD is hypervigilance, while the most prominent sign of schizophrenia is paranoia. Fear is the underlying emotion of both hypervigilance and paranoia.
Sep 17, 2021 · Hypervigilance is a natural feature of your limbic system, which manages your fight-or-flight response. It comes in handy in several scenarios, including: walking home late at night by yourself ...
Sep 7, 2017 · Treatment. Hypervigilance is a state of heightened alertness accompanied by behavior that aims to prevent danger. It is commonly associated with conditions, such as PTSD. Symptoms can include ...
- Lana Burgess
Hypervigilance. Hypervigilance is a condition in which the nervous system is filtering information at a rapid rate. The individual is in an enhanced state of sensory sensitivity. The ability to notice changes in the environment, in people and patterns. This mechanism is born from traumatic events or complex PTSD.
Feb 25, 2024 · This is known as hypervigilance. While hypervigilance isn’t a diagnosis, it is a symptom that can show up as a part of a variety of other mental health conditions. Hypervigilance is related to ...
