The one plus (there are maybe more) of being hypervigilant is YOU notice things - so you can anticipate the needs/wants of others - from filling glasses just as they become empty to offering food to cleaning or remembering the "just right" gift that they commented on so many months ago. My tendency when I sensed a threat was (and still is) to withdraw. If/when I don't feel safe, I want to be alone. I've learned to balance some - and take more risks socially (possibly also a gift of aging a bit) - and I try to hold on to the part of hypervigilance that is attentive to those around me - without automatically associating any attention with a possible threat. Thank you for this piece and sharing your experience.