Definition of hypervigilance
: 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
