hypervigilance

noun

hy·​per·​vig·​i·​lance ˌhī-pər-ˈvi-jə-lən(t)s 

variants or hyper-vigilance

: extreme or excessive vigilance : the state of being highly or abnormally alert to potential danger or threat

A person suffering from PTSD may have sleep disturbances, irritability, hypervigilance, heightened startle responses and flashbacks of the original trauma.

—Ellen L. Bassuk et al.

One common trait among fearful fliers is hypervigilance; they often spend the entire trip watching the flight attendants, analyzing the chime system, and assessing the sounds of the engines.

—Nancy J. Perry

Examples of hypervigilance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Chronic activation of the stress response system can disrupt sleep, impair memory and cause hypervigilance or emotional numbness—a behavior displayed by the mothers of Chibok. —Lipi Roy, Md, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024

This is a sad book that rewards the reader with laughter, all propelled by clever flourishes: PJ’s video game diction, or Imelda’s breathless, punctuation-free prose that drops you immediately into the hypervigilance and self-awareness that plagues her every thought. —Tomi Obaro, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2024

Other experts have argued that the ability to track kids through apps has led to a hypervigilance among parents that leads them to limit children’s autonomy — which in turn can harm kids’ mental health and hold them back from developing crucial social and cognitive skills. —Anna North, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018

In other sectors, such hypervigilance might seem like overkill, even paranoia. —Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 20 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

hypervigilance

noun

hy·​per·​vig·​i·​lance -ˈvij-ə-lən(t)s 

: extreme or excessive vigilance : the state of being highly or abnormally alert to potential danger or threat

A person suffering from PTSD may have … hypervigilance, heightened startle responses and flashbacks

—Ellen L. Bassuk et al.

hypervigilant

-lənt 

adjective