Hypervigilance: Does Everyone With PTSD Have It?

[Robin]

I'll add my, "Yes I'm also hypervigilant" to the thread.

Hey, at least here in S Africa, all my "hypervigilant" actions are just normal life. So, maybe I'm not hyperviligant?

This made me smile! It does feel like I have to be hypervigilent 24/7.

Can I blame the fact that I am a South African?

It's has not always been the way we lived... Fear comes from life experience, and nothing my parents taught me protected me. But always being ready will protect me in future, maybe?

 

[Gunchief]

Thanks Mommyto2.

I fit that to a T, Anthony's lesson on Military PTSD helped me id it and to try to turn it off. This symptom for me is the most uncontrollable.
Dave
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[Mina]

I did more so at one time, but it does not seem to be a major componant of my PTSD now.

This is where I'm at. A year ago, it was constant, and a real problem. It's really lessened as I've been working through things.

One thing I've also noticed is that at home, it's practically nil since I got my dog. She's a natural guard dog, so she alerts if there's anything I need to know about (and on all kinds of stuff I don't, too :smile:). My husband thinks her presence gives my 'lizard' brain permission to relax and go into a more normal state.

 

[Tinyflame]

I thought that I no longer had any hypervigilance, unless it was warranted by (a more appropriate) circumstance.

When I did the self-test on the side, I kept coming up with a high score- thought they were wrong.

I had no idea it was associated with heyper-awareness, and not been able to relax to sleep.
-Not being able to relax, almost ever, actually.
-Or jumping out of bed at the smallest sound, not even realizing it til I found myself awake at the window.

 

[cragger65]

Thanks everyone for responding. Obviously a big part of the condition, no doubt. I think meditation and mindfulness have helped me to control it greatly. I used to jump out of bed just thinking of something, and have "heart attacks" when the phone rang, but I'm not like that anymore. Hmph. Maybe I really am getting better. Not grand, but better. For that, I am greatful.

 

[Jestadud]

Some people make this sound like a bad thing but I can imagine my life without it and know I would have been in fights and we would have been mugged if not for this awareness that I have that others seem to lack.
I know at its extreme it seems crazy the way we jump at sudden noises but even then given time people learn not to make sudden noises around us and we can learn to check before reacting.

 

[Karrie Reno]

I am an army brat, initially growing up as a tomboy (girl who climbs trees and plays in the dirt, doesn’t care about be girlie) and I can't remember not having this after my father's death (when I was two years old) we endured so much trauma, and abuses of all kinds, from stepfathers, that my Grandmother had to step in a take my mother to court. I have good and bad days, but I never sleep 8 hours unless aided by some sleep medication. I caught myself the other night, and vaguely remember walking in my sleep (at first I thought it was a dream) but I got up in the middle of the night and found my dagger and put it under my pillow. The next day I looked under my pillow and there it was so I knew at that point it wasn't a dream. If I walk to the mailbox in my apartment complex, I have a dagger with me. I use to carry a stun gun. I carry weapons with me always no matter where I go. I’ve never told my family how bad it is. They have enough stress.

I often check doors, windows, and any signs of aggressive behavior from others put my anxiety level from 1-100. If in an emergency situation I become calm, focused, and planning. I evaluate the other person, and wait. At first I was scared of myself, but others see me as nonthreatening and compassionate. It's the internal churning of being in a ready state that just takes all my energy and some days can be depressing. I just want to relax. I've always been hypervigilant and it affected my focus in class, as I can hear the air conditioner, and any other noise. I can't sleep in a house with complete silence because I'll hunt for all suspicious noises. So TV or music must be on or at least a fan or some white noise. It sometimes is unnoticeable and other days prominent.

 

[Philippa]

I was a lot more hypervigilant about 7-10 years ago. I don't seem to experience much in the way of it now though. I also don't seem to dissociate as much as I used to. I think PTSD can fade after some time for some people, though that doesn't mean there isn't the chance that it won't come back at other times, when triggered. I just seem to be having a good run at the moment with not experiencing many regular symptoms.

I do make sure my bedroom door to outside is locked at all times, even though it can't really be seen from the backyard by anyone snooping around. I still keep it locked during the day and night. If I hear a funny sound outside at night, I get spooked, but it doesn't have the same kind of quality to it as when I used to get hypervigilant, and I can fall asleep after not too long again.

There was a weird crashing sound at the door the other night, which really sounded like someone banging on the door, but I remained calm and rationally thought of what to do, instead of jumping up and grabbing my big stick I keep int he corner. I just didn't answer the door, or look out the window, and basically ignored it and decided it was nothing...which it turned out to be.

I get startled if I run into someone after opening a door, but it is normal startled, not hypervigilant startling. I do tend to remain on alert but in a relaxed way I like to be ready for anything. I'm not sure if this is just my martial arts training, coupled with knowing that anything can happen at any time, so it's best to be aware and ready for action. Not sure if that counts as hypervigilant, but if it is, I think it's not a bad thing to be that way.

I did lose my pepper spray hello kitty key chain a few weeks back and I'm kinda missing it. I want to order a new one off e-bay. I liked having it there as a security in case. But I don't get too worried travelling on my own without it now. I think about it now and then though. It always felt better to walk home at night with my finger on the trigger just in case someone grabbed me. Better to be a little paranoid than not alert at all and be taken.

I don't even keep a knife under my pillow any more. I'm not sure if this means I am less hypervigilant, or more apathetic and careless?