Is Your Job Making You Hyper-Vigilant?

If you're a police officer, firefighter, emergency medical provider, or any other type of first responder, you know how to stay on your guard. In your work, staying alert is key. But constantly feeling as if danger is about to strike can be incapacitating. This can lead to hypervigilance, which can take a toll on your relationships and mental health. This blog will explain what hypervigilance is, signs you may be experiencing it, and what to do about it.

What is hypervigilance?

Hypervigilance is a natural response to a constant mental state of being on high alert. At work you may be watching for danger for the entirety of your shift. But when that alertness becomes a chronic state of mind, hypervigilance may occur as a trauma response. Hypervigilance is a symptom of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

How to tell if you're experiencing hypervigilance

Signs you may be experiencing hypervigilance include:

● Difficulty concentrating

● Difficulty falling or staying asleep

● Low mood

● Pervasive anxiety or fear

● Constantly scanning your environment for signs of danger, even when no threat is
present

Sometimes hypervigilance can be similar to a panic attack, or can be accompanied by panic attacks. These symptoms include:

● Increased heart rate

● Sweaty palms

● Shortness of breath

● A feeling of impending doom or paranoia

What to do if hypervigilance is taking a toll on you

First, rest assured that the symptoms you're experiencing are not a sign of weakness, and are not your fault. PTSD symptoms like hypervigilance are a natural response to trauma, and in your work you face trauma every day. Talking through your experience with a therapist can help you to understand your feelings, what triggers them, and how to cope with them. Coping tools learned in therapy can help you to relax when anxious symptoms arise. Remember, you don't have to go through this alone