Hyperarousal insomnia is a psychological condition. This makes evolutionary sense because sleeping when there is an imminent threat significantly lowers your chances of survival, and when in a hyperaroused state, your brain is convinced there is an imminent threat.

But, in a hyperaroused state, the sympathetic system overpowers the parasympathetic one and prevents your body from falling asleep.

It is predominantly a parasympathetic activity. Sleep requires the body and mind to relax. Why Is It Hard To Fall Asleep in a State of Hyperarousal? Hyperarousal can manifest itself through a variety of symptoms, such as: For most, hyperarousal manifests itself as a subtle sense of unease that you might not even be aware of, but can still disrupt your sleep. One of the most extreme examples is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The level of hyperarousal one may experience varies greatly, along with the level of distress and dysfunction it causes. The cause can be a real external threat or an internal fear or anxiety. Usually, hyperarousal is caused by the brain detecting a threat and entering fight-or-flight mode. Hyperarousal is a state in which you are more alert or vigilant. Read on to learn what hyperarousal is, its symptoms and causes, how it affects your sleep, and what you can do about it. When the balance tilts in favor of the sympathetic system, hyperarousal ensues.

The sympathetic system is the body’s threat detection system that prepares your body to respond to any threat, while the parasympathetic system calms the body and mind and induces a state of relaxation. At any given time, a delicate balance between two opposing systems governs our body and mind.

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