hyperaroused
Nerves on edge
Hyperaroused describes a state of heightened physiological or psychological alertness beyond normal levels.
The term appears most often in clinical contexts—trauma survivors may become hyperaroused, unable to relax or sleep, their nervous systems locked in fight-or-flight mode: She remained hyperaroused for hours after the accident.
The word can also describe intense sexual excitement.
Overjoyed beyond measure
- euphoriaIntense emotional high
- exhilaratedIntensely happy and energized
- stimulatedPrompted into action
- energizedMade lively and alert
elated · electrified · animated · ecstatic · jubilant · buzzing · wired · amped
Uncontrollable sudden fear
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- fearEmotional response to threat
- hypervigilanceHeightened threat sensitivity
- tensionStretched or strained state
agitation · restlessness · nervousness · worry · edginess · jitters · trepidation · unease
Abnormally heightened awareness state
- alertWarning or watchfulness
- watchfulCarefully attentive, observant
- scanningSystematic visual examination
- on-guardAlert to danger
wary · suspicious · defensive · paranoid · sleepless · insomnia · attuned · reactive
Mentally and physically depleted
- overloadedBurdened past capacity
- overstimulatedExcessively aroused sensorially
- bombardedAttacked with heavy fire
- floodedCovered with water
inundated · meltdown · shutdown · dysregulated · burnout · exhausted · fried · maxed-out
Excessively reactive to stimuli
- overstimulatedExcessively aroused sensorially
- heightenedIncreased in degree
- acuteIntensely severe or perceptive
- reactiveTending to respond
jumpy · twitchy · light-sensitive · irritable · raw · on-edge · prickly · skin-crawling
thrilled
Overjoyed beyond measure
- euphoriaIntense emotional high
- exhilaratedIntensely happy and energized
- stimulatedPrompted into action
energized · elated · electrified · animated · ecstatic · jubilant · buzzing · wired · amped · keyed-up
panic
Uncontrollable sudden fear
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- fearEmotional response to threat
- hypervigilanceHeightened threat sensitivity
tension · agitation · restlessness · nervousness · worry · edginess · jitters · trepidation · unease · apprehension
hypervigilant
Abnormally heightened awareness state
- alertWarning or watchfulness
- watchfulCarefully attentive, observant
- scanningSystematic visual examination
on-guard · wary · suspicious · defensive · paranoid · sleepless · insomnia · attuned · reactive · primed
frazzled
Mentally and physically depleted
- overloadedBurdened past capacity
- overstimulatedExcessively aroused sensorially
- bombardedAttacked with heavy fire
flooded · inundated · meltdown · shutdown · dysregulated · burnout · exhausted · fried · maxed-out · stressed
hypersensitive
Excessively reactive to stimuli
- overstimulatedExcessively aroused sensorially
- heightenedIncreased in degree
- acuteIntensely severe or perceptive
reactive · jumpy · twitchy · light-sensitive · irritable · raw · on-edge · prickly · skin-crawling · flinching
hyperarousedunalert
Lacking attentiveness or vigilance
inattentive · unfocused · zoned out · dissociated · detached