Hypervigilance

What is hypervigilance?

Hypervigilance is the nervous system stuck in alert mode. Signs include scanning rooms and people, startling easily, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension, and exhaustion from never switching off.

Key things to know

It is a core symptom of PTSD but also appears in chronic anxiety and after prolonged unsafe environments. It was once protective; it becomes a problem when the threat has passed but the alertness has not.

• The nervous system stays in alert mode after the threat has passed.
• Signs: scanning, startling easily, muscle tension, exhaustion from never switching off.
• It is a core PTSD symptom but also follows chronic stress and unsafe environments.
• It was protective once; the problem is that it no longer switches off.
• Body-based regulation and trauma-focused therapy help the system relearn safety.

What helps

Treatment targets the underlying condition. Body-based regulation skills and trauma-focused therapy help the nervous system relearn safety.

How SelfMind can help

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Related terms

• PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
• Trauma
• Nervous system regulation