Vigilance

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Vigilance

Vigilance (pronounced: vi·​gil·​ance | \ ˈvi-jə-lən(t)s \) is a term used in the medical field to describe a state of watchfulness or readiness to detect and respond to changes in the environment or within the body.

Etymology

The term "vigilance" originates from the Latin word "vigilantia", which means wakefulness or watchfulness.

Related Terms

  • Alertness: A state of active attention by high sensory awareness such as being watchful and prompt to meet danger or emergency, or being quick to perceive and act.
  • Attention: The behavioral and cognitive process of selectively concentrating on a discrete aspect of information, whether deemed subjective or objective, while ignoring other perceivable information.
  • Concentration: The action or power of focusing one's attention or mental effort.
  • Hyper-vigilance: An enhanced state of sensory sensitivity accompanied by an exaggerated intensity of behaviors whose purpose is to detect threats. Hyper-vigilance is also accompanied by a state of increased anxiety which can cause exhaustion.

Medical Importance

Vigilance is a crucial aspect of many medical practices. In Psychology, it is a key factor in attention and focus, playing a significant role in cognitive processes. In Neurology, vigilance is important in understanding certain disorders such as ADHD and Narcolepsy. In Psychiatry, decreased vigilance can be a symptom of various conditions, including Depression and Schizophrenia.

See Also

External links

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