It’s Superstitious.
- Hypervigilance operates to control the uncontrollable.
- Hypervigilance neither improves predictive abilities nor removes surprise.
- Hypervigilance isn’t protection; events will occur whether our guard is up or down.
It’s Counterproductive.
- Hypervigilance employs mental scanning rather than productive behaviors.
- Hypervigilance is not as efficient as our automatic, biological response to danger.
- Hypervigilance is not as effective as mindful preparation, planning and execution.
It Increases Risk.
- Hypervigilance skews our attention, paradoxically resulting in oversights.
- Hypervigilance creates exhaustion, causing mistakes and potential new hazards.
- Hypervigilance misses other cues in the environment that offer safety or protection.
It’s Destabilizing.
- Hypervigilance causes us to confuse harmlessness with dangerousness.
- Hypervigilance tells us we would not be able to cope with danger if it were to occur.
- Hypervigilance leads to overwhelm, fatigue, and a dysregulated nervous system.
It Hurts Us.
- Hypervigilance promises emotional safety, but instead increases worry.
- Hypervigilance removes us from the present, diminishing our quality of life.
- Hypervigilance induces a perpetual, “self-imposed” state of fear, and…
It’s the exact same feeling we said we didn’t want!
©2023 Heather Stone, Ph.D.
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What’s Wrong with Hypervigilance
June 13, 2023
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