Hypervigilance

Vigilance Definition

Webster defines Vigilance as “1. It is a state of being alert to danger and wary. Hypervigilance refers to being alert and awake all the time. Hypervigilance is when someone is constantly on guard for someone or something. This person cannot think or do anything other than to be vigilant and watch out for the person, event, or group they most fear.

Mental Illness and Hypervigilance

Hypervigilance (or Hypervigilance) is a common symptom in Post Traumatic Stress disorder (PTSD). People with PTSD are traumatized by events and become hyper-vigilant about future events. They are constantly vigilant about avoiding the same traumatic event from happening again, sometimes to the point that they become paranoid.

Patients with PTSD may be hypervigilant, even to the point of paranoia, because they fear the traumatic event happening again. Hypermania and Hypervigilance can be combined, primarily if the Bipolar Disorder has not been well managed. Social anxiety Disorder is another group of patients who suffer from the same symptoms. These patients live in constant fear of being embarrassed or socially excluded. Who can root this level of antisocial behavior in fear and anxiety? It is more common if the underlying mental illness is not treated correctly.

Drug Abuse and Hypervigilance

Patients whose brains have been given mind-altering drugs are another category of patients with Hypervigilance. Crack cocaine and meth can all lead to Hypervigilance. As a side effect of their drug addiction, hyper-vigilant people often become more aggressive. They hide their drugs, obtain drugs for future use, and avoid detection or arrest by law enforcement.

This hyperawareness can lead to paranoia and fear in drug addicts. Partly, this hyperawareness is due to the drug itself and partly because the user is so used to the drug that they cannot bear to think of life without it. Drug addiction means drug users can only make decisions based on whether or not they can get high again.

Violence and Hypervigilance

A person obsessed with guns and violence may be vulnerable to Hypervigilance. They might believe it is their duty or even be able to get away with murder. They believe they are responsible for being on the “lookout” for potential threats because they have a weapon.

They could be threatening the government, law enforcement, or people of other races. Recent events saw a young African American man named Treyvon Martin being targeted and shot to death by George Zimmerman. George Zimmerman was part of his “neighborhood watch” and carried a gun. When he saw that Treyvon Martin was unarmed, he attacked him and shot and killed him.

After convincing a jury that Zimmerman shot in self-defense, George Zimmerman was allowed on the streets. Zimmerman was detained multiple times since Treyvon’s murder for domestic violence and threats to shoot his female partner. While people with a tendency to violence believe they have a right and responsibility to act on Hypervigilance, the truth is that violence and violence are a disease. This is why the term “vigilante” was invented. George Zimmerman is a hypervigilant narcissist and a vigilante. He has been accused of being racist.

Treating Hypervigilance

Hyper mental states can be very uncomfortable for patients. This is often the reason for agitation, insomnia, panic attacks, heart attacks, and hypertension. Add drugs, homelessness, or poverty to the mix, and both patients and potential victims are at risk. Awareness of mental illness in public is deficient. Mental illness is stigmatized in the United States to the extent that those suffering from it are silently ignored and shunned. People who are in pain should be encouraged to seek help.

We must be open to helping them. They will not trust the system to help them if they fear being mistreated, locked up, or treated poorly. They will continue to be headlines. Did you know that there have been an average of one school shooting per week since Newtown’s tragedy? Adam Lanza, Newtown’s shooter, killed twenty-five children and six teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary school. His mother, with whom he shared his home, also had a mental illness.

There have been many school shootings and mass killings in the past year. The FBI has begun training teachers in defense tactics to help protect children under their care. Companies are offering bulletproof backpacks and Kevlar mats to make children more secure. Violence is rampant or, as President Obama stated, “violence ( school shoots and massacres have become the norm.” Andrew Solomon wrote an article for The New Yorker entitled The Reckoning.

It highlights the role mental illness played in these acts and reiterates why it’s important to address mental illness constructively and proactively before tragedy strikes. You have a responsibility as a parent to be aware of the signs and symptoms of Hypervigilance.

Are there other signs that they may be suffering from mental dysfunction? Do they worry about every day, non-threatening matters? Are they obsessed with defending themselves against an unknown or known attacker? These signs could indicate a mental illness. Hypervigilance may be a sign of underlying mental illness. Mentally ill people are more challenging to treat. Ironically, one of the symptoms of many mental illnesses is believing the patient is normal, and everyone else is sick.

What’s America doing to protect you?

Obama’s administration, the President, has made it clear that he and his government will do everything necessary to address the issue of mental illness and its relation to mass violence. The Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) has taken one step to address mental health. It is called the Mental Health Parity Act.

The Mental Health Parity Addiction Equity Act is designed to ensure that everyone with a mental illness or addiction can receive the same insurance and benefits as anyone else. Before the MHPAEA, copays and doctor visits were limited to a specific number of visits each year. This made treatment for those with mental illnesses more difficult than other types of illnesses. Patients with mental illnesses will find it much easier to access reliable and trustworthy care with the MHPAEA and the ACA. This was a huge step forward in healthcare in the USA.

Hypervigilance

Hypervigilance can be a sign that someone is more serious than they realize. They could be dangerous if they do not receive treatment or abuse drugs. It is not a good idea to ignore the problem and do nothing. If you or someone close to you needs help, there are hotlines you can call. These hotlines can be found on HealthPlace.com and are available for assistance. Many organizations provide services, including NAMI, the National Alliance of Mental Illness, MHA, and Mental Health America. They are also listed by state, making it easier to find assistance for yourself or someone you care about.

These hotlines can be called anonymously and provide a safe environment for people to call. The professionals at the other end of this line are committed to providing mental health support and care for anyone who calls. They do not discriminate or judge. Many of the services they offer are accessible to those who do not have insurance or cannot afford them. The Obama administration has made significant progress and promises to address the mental health of Americans and has already done so. It’s easier than ever to get help. You could be saving someone’s life by acting now. This is something you should consider.