Credit: Photo by cottonbro
Hypervigilance is a state of hyperarousal often seen in post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), where you are constantly scanning your environment for any signs of a threat. You are on-guard and suspicious of any danger that may be lurking. The best medications for hypervigilance include alpha adrenergic agonists, alpha blockers, and beta blockers.
Alpha adrenergic agonists include the medications clonidine (Catapres) and guanfacine (Tenex). Alpha adrenergic agonists help to decrease hypervigilance and hyperarousal by reducing the production of adrenaline, thereby reducing the hyperarousal symptoms (alpha adrenergic agonists decrease the heart rate and decrease the blood pressure).
Alpha blockers include the medication prazosin (Minipress). Alpha blockers work by blocking the adrenaline receptors, and are prescribed to treat the trauma nightmares associated with PTSD.
Beta blockers include the medications propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin). Beta blockers work by blocking the effects of adrenaline, and reduce the hyperarousal symptoms (beta blockers decrease the heart rate and decrease the tremors).
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Dr.Carlo
First of, happy new year to you and assume you are doing great. Thanks for such wonderful articles you have published. I have a specific question. My son has this hyper vigilance syndrome, when he tends to rest, he becomes hyper alert, his face starts itching and his thoughts slowly start turning into negative and becomes full blown irritability, anger and depression, this has been going for few years. He is on Abilify and Vyvanse but his symptoms are still worse, do you recommend that he talks to you if so can you suggest how we can we make appointments with you
Hope you will help my son to get better
thanks and best regards,
Venu Iyengar
Please address your concerns with his psychiatrist, and if it is not to your satisfaction, have your son’s pediatrician refer your son to another psychiatrist.