hyperalertness
Heightened sensory awareness
Hyperalertness is a state of heightened vigilance and sensitivity to one's surroundings.
The term appears most often in discussions of anxiety, trauma, and PTSD, where the nervous system remains on high alert even when no threat is present: Her hyperalertness made it impossible to relax in crowded spaces.
The condition involves scanning for danger, startling easily, and difficulty filtering out background stimuli.
Careful, sustained attention
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- monitoringOngoing observation of something
- scanningSystematic visual examination
- lookoutWatcher or vista point
guard · readiness · preparedness · caution · precaution · scrutiny · observation · patrol
State of anxious unease
- tensionStretched or strained state
- edginessRestless nervous tension
- restlessnessState of unease
- agitationDisturbed, restless state
jitteriness · unease · panic · dread · fearfulness · paranoia · worry · apprehension
Chronic reaction to horrific events
- trauma responsePsychological wound's behavioral aftermath
- hyperarousalExcessive physiological alertness
- dissociationMental separation from surroundings
- flashbackInvoluntary past memory
amygdala · sympathetic nervous system · fight-or-flight · panic disorder · anxiety disorder · shell shock · combat stress · traumatic stress
Excessive sensory input
- reactivityTendency to chemically combine
- sensory overloadExcessive simultaneous stimulation
- startle reflexInvoluntary reaction to sudden stimuli
- light sensitivityAdverse reaction to brightness
flinching · sensory processing · hyperreactivity · overresponsiveness
watchfulness
Careful, sustained attention
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- monitoringOngoing observation of something
- scanningSystematic visual examination
lookout · guard · readiness · preparedness · caution · precaution · scrutiny · observation · patrol · defense
nervousness
State of anxious unease
- tensionStretched or strained state
- edginessRestless nervous tension
- restlessnessState of unease
agitation · jitteriness · unease · panic · dread · fearfulness · paranoia · worry · apprehension · fight-or-flight
PTSD
Chronic reaction to horrific events
- trauma responsePsychological wound's behavioral aftermath
- hyperarousalExcessive physiological alertness
- dissociationMental separation from surroundings
flashback · amygdala · sympathetic nervous system · fight-or-flight · panic disorder · anxiety disorder · shell shock · combat stress · traumatic stress
overstimulation
Excessive sensory input
- reactivityTendency to chemically combine
- sensory overloadExcessive simultaneous stimulation
- startle reflexInvoluntary reaction to sudden stimuli
light sensitivity · flinching · sensory processing · hyperreactivity · overresponsiveness
hyperalertnessdrowsiness
State of near-sleep
lethargy · torpor · stupor · somnolence · grogginess
hyperalertnesscalmness
Peaceful mental state
relaxation · tranquility · serenity · composure · placidity
hyperalertnesscomplacency
Uncritical satisfaction with oneself
unconcern · carelessness · heedlessness · obliviousness · security
hyper, alert, alertness, alertly, alerts, alerted, alerting, hyperalert, hyperactive