Knowra Hypervigilance Hypervigilance Hypervigilance is heightened, sustained monitoring for possible danger, often accompanied by exaggerated sensitivity to threat. It can occur in trauma-related conditions and other states of anxiety or arousal.
Threat detection : The processes by which organisms identify cues that may signal danger. Hypervigilance intensifies ongoing detection of possible threats.
Post-traumatic stress disorder : A disorder that can develop after trauma and involves persistent symptoms such as re-experiencing, avoidance, and heightened arousal. Hypervigilance is one possible arousal symptom of this disorder.
Hyperarousal : A state of increased physiological and psychological activation, often including irritability, sleep disturbance, or exaggerated startle. Hypervigilance is threat-focused monitoring within a broader pattern of heightened arousal.
Insomnia : Persistent difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or obtaining restorative sleep despite adequate opportunity. Monitoring for danger can make it difficult to settle into sleep.
Perceived threat : An appraisal that a person, event, or situation may cause harm or loss. Hypervigilance depends on danger being anticipated or perceived.
Amygdala : A brain structure involved in learning and responding to emotionally significant stimuli, including threats. Its threat-related responses can contribute to heightened vigilance.
Complex post-traumatic stress disorder : A diagnosis in ICD-11 involving PTSD symptoms alongside persistent difficulties in self-organization after prolonged or repeated trauma. Heightened threat monitoring may occur among its PTSD symptoms.
Hypovigilance : Reduced alertness to the environment, with diminished monitoring or responsiveness to stimuli. It describes the opposing direction of alertness, rather than amplified threat monitoring.
Chronic stress : A prolonged stress response associated with ongoing or repeated demands or perceived threats. Sustained vigilance can keep stress responses active beyond immediate danger.
Fear conditioning : Learning to associate a previously neutral cue with an aversive event. Learned danger cues can prompt vigilance even when danger is not immediate.
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