Hypervigilance
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In cognitive and clinical psychology hypervigilance is an enhanced state of sensory sensitivity and attention associated with an exaggerated intensity of behaviors whose purpose is to detect or avoid threats.
For example, a driver who has previously been involved in a car accident may devote so much attention to road conditions and other cars on the road, that he or she may: not hear an accompanying passenger while driving (Due to selective attention) and drive erratically as they seek to avoid further collisions .
Hypervigilance is often seen as part of the fight-or-flight response.
The degree of hypervigilance can be exacerbated by a viscious cycle where one can come to see threats everywhere which leads to more intensive scanning and is a cognitive mechanism that is thought to underly paronoia
It is a symptom of a number of stress-related disorders. See for example :
Hypervigilance is a state of anxiety that often leads to exhaustion.
It is manifested in victims of domestic violence and stalking. It is also seen as an aspect of the psychological condition of codependence, and as needing treatment in victims of torture.
