The Hyper-Vigilance

Having tense and continuous anxiety about all the perceived dangers surrounding you and what could go wrong. Constantly vigilant and can never rest. Results in a great deal of ongoing stress that wears you out and wears others down. Cannot see that most of the things you worry about never even happen. Unable to understand that you cannot predict the future out far enough to eliminate pain anyway.

Hyper-vigilance’s self-justifying lie (promise): That the dangers around you are bigger than they actually are, and nonstop vigilance is the only way to avoid them. Inside your head, everything is monumental. In order for you to protect yourself and loved ones you have to always be anxious and nervous and focus on the danger (or perceived danger) that come from everything. Always imagine and believe the worst-case scenario, then you’ll be able to stop it from happening.

How: Tries to worry out far enough to eliminate pain and negative consequences. But it’s not possible.  

Looks like: Nervousness and anxiety. Paranoid. Scared to try new things. Adventure avoidant.

Feels like: Anxiety and nervousness, can lead to depression. Paranoid and stuck. Lack of interest in trying new things or going places. Is usually an overbearing, overprotective parent.

Consequence/Problem: Dispenses to many warnings that others no longer trust you. Wasted time and energy since pretty much everything you worry about never happens.