Hypervigilance

Hypervigilance is a condition of the nervous system in which sensory information is filtered inaccurately and rapidly, producing an enhanced state of sensory sensitivity. It appears to be linked to a dysregulated nervous system that releases stress signals such as norepinephrine in situations where they are not warranted, creating exaggerated and inappropriate responses, and hypervigilant symptoms are clinically described in complex post-traumatic stress disorder. A person experiencing it perpetually scans the environment for sights, sounds, people, behaviors or smells reminiscent of past threat or trauma, a state of high alert that can produce exhaustion, obsessive behavior patterns and difficulty with social relationships, and that is distinguished from dysphoric hyperarousal by the person remaining aware of their surroundings rather than losing contact with reality.