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"&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Hypervigilance is one of the &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/an-overview-of-ptsd-symptoms-2797638&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot;&amp;gt;hyperarousal symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;\u00A0(PTSD). Get the facts about living in a hypervigilant state, including the symptoms\u00A0and treatment, with this review and definition.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;What Is the Definition of Hypervigilance?&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Hypervigilance refers to the experience of being constantly tense and &amp;amp;#34;on guard.&amp;amp;#34; A person experiencing this symptom of &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/ptsd-4014659&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;2&amp;quot;&amp;gt;PTSD&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; will be motivated to maintain an increased awareness of their surrounding environment, sometimes even frequently scanning their settings to identify potential sources of threat.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;What Are the Symptoms of Hypervigilance?&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Hypervigilance is often accompanied by changes in behavior, such as always choosing to sit in a far corner of a room so as to have an awareness of all exits. At extreme levels, hypervigilance may appear similar to paranoia.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;PTSD sufferers with hypervigilance live in a long lasting state of insecurity. To prevent the traumatic experience they lived through from happening again, they become preoccupied with spotting potential threats. As a result, hypervigilant people startle easily, making it a bad idea to sneak up on an individual who&amp;amp;#39;s in such a state. Being in a new or uncomfortable environment can exacerbate the symptoms of hypervigilance.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;People in a hypervigilant state also experience physical symptoms. It is typical for such individuals to begin sweating when they&amp;amp;#39;re in settings that frighten them or make them uncomfortable. Often, their heart rate quickens and they may experience shallow or rapid breathing as well.\u00A0&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;Coping Mechanisms Used by Hypervigilant People&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;People who experience hypervigilance may not only prefer to sit or stand in the corners of rooms to remain on guard, but they may also carry weapons with them--guns, knives, pepper spray--to avoid feeling vulnerable to an attack once more.\u00A0&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Individuals with hypervigilance may also adopt obsessive-compulsive behaviors to cope with their fears. If they happened to be wearing their grandmother&amp;amp;#39;s necklace when they survived a murder attempt, they may refuse to take the necklace off or believe that they will die if they don&amp;amp;#39;t wear the necklace at all times. If they were attacked on an elevator, they may avoid all elevators from then on.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;Treatment for Hypervigilance&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Relaxation techniques have been shown to help hypervigilant people. These techniques may include everything from &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/yoga-4014625&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;3&amp;quot;&amp;gt;yoga&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; to breathing exercises to &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/benefits-of-meditation-for-stress-management-3145204&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;4&amp;quot;&amp;gt;meditation&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;. Mindfulness methods may also help because they focus the mind on the here and now rather than in the past, which is where hypervigilant people tend to be focused.\u00A0&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;Wrapping Up&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;If you or someone you love is experiencing hypervigilance to the extent that it&amp;amp;#39;s interfering with your everyday routines and relationships, it may be time to get help. Find a support group for people living with PTSD or mental health professionals with experience treating patients with PTSD.\u00A0&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;While you may want to keep your PTSD diagnosis and symptoms a secret from some people, you may find it helpful to share what you&amp;amp;#39;re going through with close friends and family members who can be a source of support.\u00A0Revealing your diagnosis can help them understand why you&amp;amp;#39;re exhibiting behaviors they may find confusing or odd. Moreover, studies have shown that people with PTSD who have a good support system are more likely to manage their symptoms better or even eliminate them.\u00A0&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<https://www.verywell.com/hypervigilance-2797363>