UnCharted Path Productions: Lets Talk About It - Inherited Hypervigilance

UPP Weekly Digest presents:

Spotlighting

Behavioral Dysregulation:

Inherited Hypervigilance

by Shari Wilson, Psy. M.

June 24, 2022

Imagine a 12-year-old hanging out in your bedroom while your mom is in the living room. You know, doing normal 12-year-old things, all of a sudden, hearing her footsteps in the distance heading your way. Now, based on the intensity of the steps approaching will determine the rest of your day. She is so mean at times and for whatever reason, she can be really bothered but what feels like your existence. Unfortunately, you’ve learned her stride, her pace, and even the slightest stomp just to brace yourself for what she may bring your way. That form of alertness can be translated in your life today as easily triggered anxiety because you continually try to brace for or predict that unknown moment by overanalyzing every situation. The technical term for this behavioral disorder is Hypervigilance.

Hypervigilance is exactly what it sounds like; hyper-very active and vigilant-aware. An Inherited Hypervigilance is when someone has been through a form of trauma; whether emotional and/or physical, and their body’s way of beginning to protect themselves from the impact is having hypervigilant behavior. This behavior disorder is hard to diagnose because many will attribute the hypervigilant behavior to “that’s just who I am” or “my childhood wasn’t that bad, I just pay attention to everything now”.

So the question is, how does one who has inherited hypervigilant behaviors, figure out that there is an issue? Simply start questioning some behaviors that made you “strong” and why did it cause you to have the need to be strong? Having a strong personality can be a positive emotion but not when it comes to creating that kind of trait to ensure that someone is not going to hurt them again. Identifying these traits is the beginning of seeing that one’s mental health may not be up to par. Finding a therapist near you can be a process that helps you begin anew from that point on.

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About the writer:

Shari Wilson has a true heart to listen to anyone who shares their experiences, traumas, or just life in general. She studied at Purdue Global University, acquiring her Bachelor’s degree in Applied Behavioral Analysis and Addictions Psychology in 2016. On the path to furthering her studies, she received her Master of Psychology in 2018 from Purdue Global University. Since then she has been enamored with the ability to use her education to help others through difficult times.

She is a Consulting Psychologist for UnCharted Path Productions, working on the upcoming psychological thriller series titled, “Hidden District”. She is a mom of 3, a wife, and an amazing friend to those around her. If you would like to get in contact with her regarding a counseling session, please email her at: swilson@unchartedpathproductions.com or her Instagram.

#mentalhealth #intergenrational #trauma #awareness #mentalhealthawareness #psychology