Hypervigilance

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Hypervigilance is a condition of the nervous system where sensory information is inaccurately and rapidly filtered, in an enhanced state of sensory sensitivity. This appears to be linked to a dysregulated nervous system, and hypervigilant symptoms are clinically described in complex post-traumatic stress disorder. Normally, the nervous system releases stress signals (e.g. norepinephrine) in certain situations as a defense mechanism to protect one from perceived dangers. In some cases, the nervous system becomes chronically dysregulated, causing a release of stress signals that are inappropriate to the situation, creating inappropriate and exaggerated responses. Hypervigilance may bring about a state of increased anxiety which can cause exhaustion. Other symptoms include high responsiveness to stimuli and constant scanning of the environment. Hypervigilant symptoms are clinically described as a perpetual scanning of the environment to search for sights, sounds, people, behaviors, smells...

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