hyperreactivity
Heightened reaction tendency
Hyperreactivity is an excessive or exaggerated response to stimuli.
In medicine, it describes airways that constrict too readily in asthma, or immune systems that overreact to harmless substances.
The term appears in psychology for heightened emotional responses: The child's hyperreactivity to criticism suggested underlying anxiety.
More generally, any system that responds disproportionately to input can be called hyperreactive.
Immune reaction triggers
- pollenFloral reproductive grains
- dust mitesMicroscopic skin-eating arachnids
- moldForm-giving container
- pet danderShed skin from animals
hives · eczema · asthma · rhinitis · antihistamines · epinephrine · sneezing · itchiness
Body attacks itself
- inflammationProtective tissue response
- cytokinesImmune signaling proteins
- antibodiesProteins targeting pathogens
- immunoglobulinDefensive blood protein
T-cells · B-cells · histamine · anaphylaxis · leukocytes · interleukin · lymphocytes · macrophages
Excessive simultaneous stimulation
- stimulusWhat prompts a reaction
- startle responseInvoluntary reaction to surprise
- heightenedIncreased in degree
- hyperstimulationExcessive sensory or neural arousal
overstimulation · sensory processing · nervous system · neural · fight-or-flight · hypervigilance · autonomic · reflex
Involuntary narrowing of airways
- bronchoconstrictionAirway narrowing from muscle contraction
- wheezingHarsh, whistling respiration
- asthmaChronic lung inflammation
- coughingForceful air expulsion reflex
mucus · irritants · inhalers · spirometry · lung function · bronchodilators · respiratory · dyspnea
Rapid, unpredictable changeability
- irritabilityProneness to agitation
- temperamentalEasily upset, unpredictable
- mercurialProne to sudden change
- touchyEasily upset or offended
thin-skinned · hair-trigger · outbursts · meltdowns · disproportionate · explosive · erratic · impulsive
allergens
Immune reaction triggers
- pollenFloral reproductive grains
- dust mitesMicroscopic skin-eating arachnids
- moldForm-giving container
pet dander · hives · eczema · asthma · rhinitis · antihistamines · epinephrine · sneezing · itchiness · watery eyes
autoimmune
Body attacks itself
- inflammationProtective tissue response
- cytokinesImmune signaling proteins
- antibodiesProteins targeting pathogens
immunoglobulin · T-cells · B-cells · histamine · anaphylaxis · leukocytes · interleukin · lymphocytes · macrophages · neutrophils
sensory overload
Excessive simultaneous stimulation
- stimulusWhat prompts a reaction
- startle responseInvoluntary reaction to surprise
- heightenedIncreased in degree
hyperstimulation · overstimulation · sensory processing · nervous system · neural · fight-or-flight · hypervigilance · autonomic · reflex · excitability
bronchospasm
Involuntary narrowing of airways
- bronchoconstrictionAirway narrowing from muscle contraction
- wheezingHarsh, whistling respiration
- asthmaChronic lung inflammation
coughing · mucus · irritants · inhalers · spirometry · lung function · bronchodilators · respiratory · dyspnea · tracheal
volatility
Rapid, unpredictable changeability
- irritabilityProneness to agitation
- temperamentalEasily upset, unpredictable
- mercurialProne to sudden change
touchy · thin-skinned · hair-trigger · outbursts · meltdowns · disproportionate · explosive · erratic · impulsive · mood swings
hyperreactivityunreactivity
Resistance to chemical change
inertness · unresponsiveness · insensitivity · anergy · torpor
hyperreactivitytolerance
Willingness to accept difference
equanimity · stability · measured response · proportional response · self-regulation
hyperreactivitycalm
Free from agitation
equanimity · unflappability · composure · imperturbability · tolerance
react, reaction, reacting, reactionary, reactive, reactivity, reactor, hypersensitive, overreacting