Hypervigilance

Hypervigilance is an enhanced state of sensory sensitivity accompanied by an exaggerated intensity of behaviors whose purpose it is to detect threats.

It is a symptom of a number of stress-related disorders. See for example


 * Post-traumatic stress disorder,
 * Combat stress reaction,
 * Urban survival syndrome,
 * Mean World Syndrome

It is manifested in victims of domestic violence and stalking. It is also seen as an aspect of the psychological condition of codependence, and as needing treatment in victims of torture.