Threat/Vigilance

Threat/vigilance is a heightened state of awareness/focus on potential dangers or threats in the environment. The brain’s amygdala activates the threat/vigilance system to quickly identify and respond to potential dangers, possibly triggering the protective fight-or-flight response (FFR). High levels of threat/vigilance heightens anxiety caused by hypervigilance from constantly scanning the environment for potential threats, even when none exist. Also see Minority Stress and Social Safety