hyperarousal

English

Etymology

From hyper- +‎ arousal.

Noun

hyperarousal (usually uncountable, plural hyperarousals)

1. A state of heightened psychological and physiological tension resulting in reduced pain tolerance, anxiety, excessive response to sensory stimulation, insomnia, and fatigue.
   • 2010, Liz Royle, Catherine Kerr, Integrating EMDR Into Your Practice, page 35:

     Hyperarousal after a traumatic experience is normal. It occurs when a person's brain believes that person is at risk again because it misreads an external signal or trigger.

   • 2024 March 11, Madeline Holcombe, “What to do on the nights you are struggling with insomnia, according to experts”, in CNN‎^[1]:

     A feeling of restlessness and an urge to move in your arms, legs or torso is a state of hyperarousal and can keep you from a good night’s sleep, she said.

Related terms

• hypoarousal
• hyperaroused