Overview
Hypervigilance is a part of hyperarousal, in which the nervous system’s “fight-or-flight” stress response is continually excited. Specifically, hypervigilance refers to the component of hyperarousal in which someone is constantly diverting their attention to scanning the environment for threats. Hypervigilance can manifest as:
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Analyzing micro-expressions, like reading subtle changes in someone’s tone of voice, posture, pauses when speaking, changes in vocabulary, and facial expressions
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People-pleasing, such as apologizing unnecessarily, instinctively choosing to inconvenience oneself for others past boundaries, and proactively trying to ensure that everyone around feels calm and happy
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Defensive hostility, in which statements that are neutral or vague are interpreted as a personal attack, insult, or threat leading to disproportionate reactions
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Positioning rituals, including never sitting with the back to the door in a room if avoidable (often in a corner to keep a wide field of vision) or keeping a clear path to the exit in mind when choosing a spot in a room
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Tracking, so that one keeps a mental map of where everyone in a building or location is or noting the way people walk to identify them with