Extreme hyper awareness

[u/Dismal-Hotel-8457]

Does anyone experience hyper awareness to the max? For me I feel like I literally can’t function without being hyper aware of every single thing I’m saying and every movement I make, especially in social interactions. It’s confusing because I look around and it seems that everything comes so naturally to others and it never seems to come to me.
I overthink every word the second it leaves my mouth, I’m constantly aware of my face and the faces I’m making, my eyes are darting around ALL THE TIME to observe other people. I feel like a machine, yet at the same time I feel as though I’m the only person who’s actually conscious.

[u/TinyMoonAndStars]

You might also have some OCD going on. I had a massive burnout a few years ago. I realized how much of my hypervigilance was ruminating. Basically my brain tries to "save me" from my neurodivergence making me miss something and causing more trauma.

It's also why I'm way more productive and happier when I'm really busy - no time to ruminate! I thought I was lazy for the longest time because I could not function or stay happy by myself. It's like my brain panicked every time I let my guard down and found something new to fixate on getting "just right."

ERP (exposure response prevention) really helps me. That's how I knew it was ruminating and not quite autism - it all but goes away if I stick with it. But it's really hard and really tiring because I have to fight my own thoughts.

[u/Dismal-Hotel-8457 → u/TinyMoonAndStars]

This is interesting and I relate to a lot of what you’ve written here. I’ll look into it 🫶🏾

[u/InstantMedication]

Yeah thats me in group social interactions. One on one I do okay-ish but 2+ people I also am extremely hyper aware and a mess inside which I’m sure is somewhat visible on the outside.

[u/Dismal-Hotel-8457 → u/InstantMedication]

Me too. I do find one-on-one slightly easier but I still feel that hyper awareness especially when it’s someone I’m not close with.

[u/_OhMyPlatypi_ → u/Dismal-Hotel-8457]

Do you find yourself hyper in tune with things like people's "energy", knowing fire exit/escape routes, know people by the sound of their foot steps?

Did you come from an abusive/dysfunctional home?

[u/ScarRevolutionary649 → u/InstantMedication]

this is interesting, i’m way more hyper aware when one-on-one, ESPECIALLY if it’s a new person that im still getting to know. it’s soo much pressure and their focus is all on me i hate it 😭 at least in groups i can be quiet sometimes and chime in now and then

[u/Crazyplantweirdo]

I have been like this off and on my whole life, especially the frantic eye darting when approaching burnout. It can be a hypervigilance/ocd thing, or even a balance thing! A lot of my anxiety calmed down when I figured out Binocular vision dysfunction & PPPD. I do vision exercises & upper neck work to keep eyes "free", jaw loose,

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[u/SlashDotTrashes]

This can happen with trauma. But I'm not an expert.