Hypervigilance

[Musicalmind]

I learned recently i have a big pronlem with the below as a complex trauma survivor. Does anyone have recommendations on how to cope with this?

Hypervigilance About People

Most people with PTSD have hypervigilance, where the person scans the environment for potential risks and likes to have their back to the wall.

But complex trauma survivors often have a deep subconscious need to “work people out.” Since childhood, I have been aware of people’s non-verbal cues; their body language, their tone of voice, their facial expressions. I also subconsciously learn people’s habits and store away what they say. Then if anything occurs that contradicts any of this, it will immediately flag as something potentially dangerous.

This can be exhausting. And it can create a deep skillset of discernment about people. The aim of healing fear-based hyper-vigilance is turning it into non-fear-based discernment.

[Roxylox]

I fear people's nasty comments about me, because I have ofter overheard people who make very wrong judgements about me, or have heard silly wrong things about me from others.

Someone on a different HU forum asked if I was hypervigilant. Does that mean I hear stuff in these places more than others do cos I'm watching out for comments? My husband says I should wear earplugs in shops!

I love your username by the way. Can I take it to mean you're into music in a big way?

[Rosepetal60 in reply to Roxylox]

Interesting question and topic. I can sometimes tell from a photo what type of person they are. But I call that Intuition. Forget the earplugs. I always feel It’s always best to be informed in advance then you are one step ahead. And can be ready with a reply if needs be. I can’t do instant replies when people are nasty to me. I’m too shocked. But I’m learning from it to be ready for the next time.

[Roxylox in reply to Rosepetal60]

Good idea to be ready for next time

[Musicalmind in reply to Roxylox]

I understand and thanks for the reply. Yes im a musician

[Musicalmind in reply to Roxylox]

Yes, im a musician. Its where i usually dump my problems

[Roxylox in reply to Musicalmind]

I've recently joined a Mental Health engage group on Zoom wh like t work with the arts. I like to sing. They asked me to sing on voice recorder and they would put it to music.

I am trying out Why Worry by Dire Straits. Would you have any other suggestions- including folk, of easy songs for a mid-range voice. Apologies if you're more into instrumental.

I used to enjoy singing aloud at home. But hadn't done so in a while until lately. The lyrics in Why Worry appeal to me.

[Musicalmind in reply to Roxylox]

I would start with classic rock bands and any kind of ballads.

[Isinatra]

Hi Musical, I, too, am diagnosed with ptsd and hyper vigilance. The hyper thing explained why I was always interested in how the human mind worked. So I could be prealerted to potential danger. Also realized it made me see danger where there wasn’t any. Overthinking and analyzing. Trying to make that determination has been an ongoing struggle. So much information gathering, no place to put it. Sometimes it can be akin to aspergers, sensory overload. Being in a group setting is exhausting. Good sleep seems to help the brain file all that overabundance of info away in neat little sections. Each person finds their own tools of dealing with it. Hang on til that time arrives. ❤️🏄‍♀️

[Musicalmind]

Im working on it, the people reading gets exhausting.

[Dolphin14]

I also has cPTSD

Hyper vigilance is exhausting.

The mind is always going.

I have improved quite a bit through therapy.