What Is Hypervigilance?

[LoveWins]

I can read a clinical explaination as well as the next guy. I was kind of hoping some people could tell me how it is for them.

Reading a dictionary about PTSD is easy. I was more looking for an environment where I could relate to people.
I guess I'll just keep looking. Sorry to bother you.

I think in answering the question "What is hypervigilance?" the clinical explanation is a great place to start and build from. This was the only question you posed, and I think people's answers have been great. Perhaps you could have asked "what does hypervigilance mean for you?" although still, people have answered that too. I'm sure you'll find plenty of people to relate to here with time

I experience hypervigilance as jumping up and screaming when the toaster pops or the doorbell rings, completely involuntarily. As feeling completely unsafe, scanning and feeling nervous of certain people, and at its worst everyone, in public. As leaping back away from the winow if someone walks past, my heart racing. My fright reflex is on overdrive. Sometimes even when I know my husband is about to come up behind me to give a cuddle, or even just walk past, I still scream or shake and have that instant of fear

 

[LoveWins]

thinking I see things out of the corner of my eye

I get this a lot too. I'm always thinking I saw something, or someone from the corner of my eye and jumping back. Sometimes it happens so much in one day I start to get annoyed with myself, but there's no stopping it. It gets me even when I'm feeling calm

 

[SunnyBrookFarm]

Thanks Clydiechick and Lovewins -

I do that too!!!! I had no idea that this was part of it - sometimes I truly think I'm still losing my mind - in fact just last night I thought I saw something out of the corner of my eye - of course nothing was there........I'm so glad I saw this today.

 

[Noone.]

Ok it's me in my shrinks office.

 

[amethist]

This is my husband any where away from home.

Sometimes it is like taking a young child out that you have to keep your eye on all the time in case something or someone startles him, or he just wants to be back home where he fees safe and secure.

Daft things set him off, and then I have to step in and distract him before he does or says something he shouldn't.

Amethist