hyperarousal

noun

hy·​per·​arous·​al ˌhī-pər-ə-ˈrau̇-zəl 

variants or hyper-arousal

medical

: excessive arousal : an abnormal state of increased responsiveness to stimuli that is marked by various physiological and psychological symptoms (such as increased levels of alertness and anxiety and elevated heart rate and respiration)

Although insomnia is considered a sleep disorder, its pathophysiology suggests hyperarousal during sleep and wakefulness.

—Daniel J. Buysse

To be given a diagnosis of PTSD, a person has to have been exposed to an extreme stressor or traumatic event to which he or she responded with fear, helplessness, or horror and to have three distinct types of symptoms consisting of reexperiencing of the event, avoidance of reminders of the event, and hyperarousal for at least one month.

—Rachel Yehuda

Examples of hyperarousal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adolescents are known to have this type of hyperarousal. —Kristen Rogers, CNN, 18 Feb. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1969, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

hyperarousal

noun

hy·​per·​arous·​al ˌhī-pə-rə-ˈrau̇-zəl 

variants or hyper-arousal

: excessive arousal : an abnormal state of increased responsiveness to stimuli that is marked by various physiological and psychological symptoms (as increased levels of alertness and anxiety and elevated heart rate and respiration)

Although insomnia is considered a sleep disorder, its pathophysiology suggests hyperarousal during sleep and wakefulness.

—Daniel J. Buysse

Symptoms of hyperarousal refer to physiological manifestations, such as insomnia, irritability, impaired concentration, hypervigilance, and increased startle reactions.

—Rachel Yehuda