Hypervigilance.

[Tippi]

Hello, everyone....

I startle at the slightest sound. I am an extremely light sleeper, as well. Every day when the mailman places our mail in the slot, I practically jump right out of my skin. My heart beats fast, adrenaline starts flowing, I start to sweat. And it takes a while for my nervous system to normalize afterward.

I've been this way my entire life.

I know that hypervigilance is a symptom of our PTSD. Have any of you found that it lessened as you went through therapy? Or did the hypervigilance abate when you took a particular medication?

I'm wondering if I will be living with this the rest of my life.

 

[franciemarnie]

Lessened with somatic therapy. It's been one of my biggest pet peeves.

It also lessened while I was on an anti-depressant for 25 years, til the med stopped working. (Then I did somatic therapy. Much to be preferred because it sticks. Don't need a pill anymore.)

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Mine lessened when I was on Geodon. My hypervigilance used to be horrendous. I went on Geodon, and it was a lifesaver as I was finally able to calm down. I no longer take Geodon though. Oddly enough, my hypervigilance got worse after I processed my trauma. It isn't to the level that it was at before, but I still startle a bit easier than prior to processing.

 

[Friday]

Lessens on certain meds for sure.

Gets worse when I'm in therapy, probably because I'm dredging things up I usually keep in their cage.

The only way I've constantly been able to affect any kind of change in my reactions is dulling via exposure. I'm a bit of a masochist, that way, though. I do everything I'm afraid of... Eventually. And keep doing it until I'm not afraid anymore. And then do it some more. It's not a perfect fix, but it dulls the severity and frequency.

 

[Running to music]

The only way I've constantly been able to affect any kind of change in my reactions is dulling via exposure.

I do everything I'm afraid of... Eventually. And keep doing it until I'm not afraid anymore. And then do it some more. It's not a perfect fix, but it dulls the severity and frequency.

I too have seen it lessen because of facing the fear--- exposure has dulled the severity & frequency for me.

 

[Joan]

For me have learned how to look at it differently. I definitely am not always successful at this, but was challenged by my art therapist to think about what I see/hear that others don't. I used it in my art journal...seeing a caterpillar and butterflies that others would just walk by, doing a rubbing that there were so many different kinds of leaves, etc. Do I still get angry with it, frustrated by it...absolutely, but helps somewhat

 

[Micky182]

Hi there, I am 28yr old male from Melbourne, Australia.
I have just come across hypervigilance today, and have spent the majority of the day reading and finding out as much as i can about this. As it explains almost too perfectly the exact way i have been behaving lately. For me there are no positives at all, it's all negative. I have battled drug and alcohol dependance for the last 10 years, currently i am addicted to Ice (Meth) On average i will stay awake for at least 4 days, eat absolutely nothing, also when i was 14 i was diagnosed and hospitalised with Anorexia, to this day that plays a big role still as the Ice keeps the weight off beautifally. Lately when i've been hanging out with the people i have been, i have found myself eyes darting quickly, constantly around the room, if i'm talking to someone, i will be concentrating on the conversation that i'm not directly involved in, listening, waiting to hear what I've done wrong, or said.
I have to mention that i was adopted at birth, and that is a very very painful topic for me to talk about, something i have never dealt with proeprly, although i've had and still have a shrink, GP, and phycoligist that i have seen since i was 13, and to be honest, i've never really made any progress as i have been in hospitals or rehab, detox, or just plain off guts 24/7 on anything, i can get y hands on. Thats how i have dealt with it. This hypervigilance has been out of control recently, it's affected the people around me, as i always think they are going to harm me at any second. I am completely on edge every second, I don't miss a fkn thing! It's not fun, it's not how i like to act, but it just takes over, coupled with heavy drug use. I'm in a fit of panic non stop. I thought this was just me until today, but last night/this morning, i endured probaby the worst time, i felt so bad for the people i was trying to hang out with and get along like normal ya know, but my mind is just Go Go Go You may be able to imaginae how tiring this becomes afrer 4 days without sleep, and ontop the constant worry, the constant checking over my shoulder every 5 secs as i am doing whilst typing this.

 

[Deleted member 28403]

Calms when I'm near people I trust.

Completely rages when somewhere unknown, or known but connected to past, so basically most of the city I live in.