Hypervigilance: what it is, causes and treatment

Ourmindis sometimes difficult to comprehend, it makes us imagine and believe things that most of the time, never really happen. It is even very complicated to control it for some.

Psychological states, stimuli or exhausting feelingssuch as anxiety, stress andfrustration, are such silent agents in our mind, that they torment us when we least realize it.

Today we will know one of those psychological states, calledhypervigilance, in this article you will know what it is, what are its main causes and its treatment. It is important to know about this, if you are the one who suffers from it or if you know someone who suffers from it.

What is hypervigilance?

Hypervigilanceis avery unusual psychological state, but it is certainly quite present in our daily lives.

In this sense, hypervigilance is amental statewhere the person who suffers from it, develops avery excessive high degree of alertness, often in the face of possible threats or disturbing situations.

Note: Hypervigilance can affect adolescents and adults alike, in fact parents should know this topic for their children.

People with this psychological state are described astense, very nervous and attentiveto the smallest detail. This can lead to a very deviant perception orserious alterations in emotions and feelings, since your own attention is both your own distraction.

Causes of hypervigilance

Hypervigilance is aconsequence of traumatic and unwanted experiences. As well aspsychological agents or strange disorders, so we present here the main causes of hypervigilance:

Psychiatric pathologies

There are various Psychiatric pathologies that cause hypervigilance, this is reflected in to patient’smental health history. They are called psychiatric pathologies, because they seriously alter a person’s state of mind or behavior .

Important: A study defines schizophreniaas the main pathology and one of the most serious. Although he also mentionsdisorders such as obsessive-compulsive , depression and bipolar disorder. (1)

Traumatic Experiences

Traumatic experiencesare one of the main causes of hypervigilance, being very varied. They can range from arobbery, the loss of a relative or a violent attackon oneself. That includes attacks due tosexual violence , which is suffered mostly by women.

anxiety and stress

Anxiety and stress go hand in hand when it comes to hypervigilance, just at a heightened level. Being a very alarming mental stimulus for the vast majority.

Anxiety mainly keeps a person alert to threatening situations, even when nothing is happening. This is what causesstress and frustration for not controlling the situation or assimilating what is happening at the moment.

Note: A study mentions that one of the causes of anxiety disorders, “It is common in changes of environment when you do not understand what to do or try to perform a task and fail in it.” (two)

Consumption of psychoactive substances

Other substances such as energy drinks or caffeine itself , also influence hypervigilance, when they are taken in extreme excess.

Note: One of the drugs that causes hypervigilance is cocaine , addicts mention it as a Great Stimulanttag. In fact, one study mentions that“experimental and excessive cocaine use is associated with factors common to the use of substances in general, such as: high accessibility and low risk perception” . (3)

Symptoms of hypervigilance

Hypervigilance is the effect of various disorders, it is also very easy to recognize, since its symptoms are not discrete and many people who suffer from it leave them very visible to others. Among the main characteristics of this disorder are the following:

Lack of concentration

It is one of the most common symptoms. Despite the fact that a person can be found hypervigilant, attentive and prepared. At the same time, he loses concentration, just by having his head focused on one thingor one situation. That includes not hearing others around you, or assessing other situations around you.

Hyperactivity

A person with hypervigilance is extremely active , but in an excessive way. He needs to be always on the move and never stop talking, he also has Ticssuch as repeatedly moving his legs, scratching for no reason or making strange faces and movements. This, in addition to insecurity, is uncomfortable for others around you.

nervousness and tension

A person with hypervigilance is nervous to an extreme degree, not trusting anyone or making decisions properly. He is in a state ofPanic and alert, which does not allow him to move forward or be safe. This also makes her tense, which can affect her system and her body, which are in tense and delicate states.

Feeling of mental clarity

People with hypervigilance feel a sense of mental clarity, as if they see or feel things they couldn’t beforetag. Think and devise things, which were previously very difficult to handle. This is sometimes a good and necessary thing, but in an excessive way, it is simply the mind playing tricks on you.

sleeping difficulties

A person with hypervigilance develops insomnia, very constantlytag. People who can’t make their minds blank, as a consequence they can’t sleep or therefore rest. Which brings with it manyfatalities for the human body and for the mind, as well as dark circles and a lot of exhaustion.

Note: A study mentions that “Insomnia is the most frequent sleep disorder. It causes repercussions in all spheres of the individual, its causes are multiple and of diverse origin. (4)

Effects of hypervigilance

Hypervigilance has many negative effects on a person’s life, when it is not adequately treated and controlled. Among those effects are the following.

behavior changes

It also happens that after irritability, the person returns to behave like someone more delicate, susceptible and peaceful. As said, everything varies from the default mindset of the person.

Note: Behavior Changes , due to hypervigilance, are due to diseases and various neurological disorders,which also affect organs of the system. That is why a study mentions that“The behavioral alterations associated with neurological diseases are shown in the neuroendocrine system, the amygdala, the hippocampus, the afferent and efferent connections of the limbic system.” (5)

Poor work or academic performance

You can suffer emotional exhaustion and lose concentrationtag. This affects the work environment, where one cannot remain calm or focus on completing their work.

As well as in the academic space, not memorizing classes or being able to study in an orderly or neat manner, which can aggravate a person’s academic index.

Physical exhaustion

But besides that, the constant thought and alertness does not allow the body to handle, analyze and receive the situations in which it surrounds itself. The mind itself works like a factory without pause or rest.

Isolation

People with hypervigilance isolate themselves, by personal decision and often out of fear or anguish. They also decide toavoid distractions or possible dangers to their personal lives. All this is about personal conclusions, the fruit of a disturbed and hypervigilant mind.

Depression

Hypervigilance makes a person doubt themselves,the situations around them, and their own safety. Many times causingSelf-criticism and depression, because they have the inability to think, analyze and feel safe. giving up, with no other options and falling into a very delicate disorder.

Weak immune system

As a consequence of anxiety, stress or frustration , the immune system is seriously affected,lowering the defenses and leaving the body a victim of diseases, flu and countless allergies. As well as, it wears out the mind and the physical state of a person, who suffers from hypervigilance.

Treatment for hypervigilance

There are several treatmentsthat a person can take, especially aimed at attacking the psychological state of hypervigilance. Among them are the following:

prescription drugs

Drugs are a good option to treat, cure or prevent the psychological state of hypervigilance.

Note: It is important that you first have a Complete Medical Check-up , a specialist who will be in charge exclusively of prescribing the necessary drugs, whatever the patient’s condition.

Relaxation Techniques

They are free and can be done at any time, place or environment. To deal with hypervigilance, it is advisable to do themin the morning and take it as a kind of practice.

Tip: Among the relaxation techniques there are deep breaths , meditation or yoga, tai chi and music therapy (aimed at art). As a natural stimulus to our mind.

Psychological techniques

You should feel free to explain your problem in detail, as if to take a great weight off your shoulders. This is important for the knowledge of parents, who may have children who suffer from this psychological state.

Key Findings

• Hypervigilance is a psychological state, excessively at a high level.
• It is mainly caused by traumatic experiences and psychological pathologies.
• If not treated properly, it can cause various mental disorders or states such as anxiety and stress.
• It negatively affects social, work and academic life.
• The treatments are diverse and very accessible, such as relaxation techniques at home and psychological therapies.