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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. Once individuals have learned how to manage overstimulation it can be adapted to become a useful skill. Individuals with this trait can become investigators, they typically cause unity and harmony amongst people in their environment, seeking to manage the changing emotions of others in order to by proxy create an environment that is conducive to their own need for peace. Normally, the nervous system releases stress signals (e.g. norepinephrine) in certain situations as a defense mechanism to protect one from perceived dangers. In some cases, the nervous system becomes dysregulated, causing a release of stress signals sometimes inappropriate to the situations. For this reason individuals with hypervigilance are often peacemakers, they defuse arguments, counsel others, create an atmosphere of harmony, in order to regulate themselves. Hypervigilance may bring about a state of increased anxiety which can cause exhaustion. Other symptoms include high responsiveness to stimuli and constant scanning of the environment.
In hypervigilance, there is 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. The individual is placed on high alert in order to be certain danger is not near. Hypervigilance can lead to a variety of obsessive behavior patterns, as well as producing difficulties with social interaction and relationships.
Hypervigilance can be a symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and various types of anxiety disorders.
Hypervigilance 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. Where there have been multiple traumas, a person may become hypervigilant and suffer severe anxiety attacks intense enough to induce a delusional state where the effects of related traumas overlap. This can result in the thousand-yard stare.
Chronic pain
Multiple studies have examined hypervigilance in relation to chronic pain conditions, namely fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis.
Symptoms
People suffering from hypervigilance 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. Sustained states of hypervigilance, lasting for a decade or more, may lead to higher sensitivity to disturbances in their local environment, and an inability to tolerate large gatherings or groups. After resolution of the situation demanding their attention, people exhibiting hypervigilance may be exhausted and require time before returning to normal activities.
See also
References
- ^ 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.
- Definition from the Free Dictionary.
- "Hypervigilance & Anxiety". Archived from the original on 2017-05-21. Retrieved 2008-10-23.
- "Glossary of Terminology". Shine the Light. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
- McDermid, Ann J; Rollman, Gary B; McCain, Glenn A (1996). "Generalized hypervigilance in fibromyalgia: evidence of perceptual amplification". PAIN®. 66 (2–3): 133–144. doi:10.1016/0304-3959(96)03059-X.
- Crombez, Geert; Van Damme, Stefaan; Eccleston, Christopher (2005). "Hypervigilance to pain: An experimental and clinical analysis". Pain. 116 (1–2): 4–7. doi:10.1016/j.pain.2005.03.035.
- Do you know signs of hypervigilance? by Dr. Joyce Brothers, Seattle PI, August 16, 2006.