After-effects of a Maritime Accident in Alabama: Is ThisNew Symptom Real, or Is It Hypochondria?

Just as medical school students develop a sense that they have every disease they study, so too do victims of maritime accidents in Alabama often spend time obsessing about worst-case scenarios. When is fear of your latest symptom justified, and when is it simply hypochondria or perhaps latent trauma from the accident?

The obvious (and certainly correct) answer is: Don't guess. If you fear that something might be wrong with you, talk to your physician ASAP.

But it's not a secret that hypochondria - or at least extra sensitivity to one's physical condition - follows in the wake of scary boat accidents and injuries. The mind dwells on what happened, conjures up scary "what if" scenarios - "what if the accident had been worse," for instance - and forces you to confront the reality of your body's fragility and your own mortality. It's not easy.

And even if you have been reassured that the concussion you suffered after you slipped and fell on a wet dock was relatively minor, every time you get a headache or forget your keys, you can't help but feel that the doctors might have missed something. This kind of fear can cripple accident victims and make recovery more difficult and success more elusive.

One key to success is to learn what to focus on and what to ignore. There is never a one-size-fits-all solution. Some people, particularly people who have sensitive medical situations, should indeed worry about every creak in their bones and cough or head cold they get. Other people need to be mindful of their potential to pointlessly catastrophize.

To defend against hypochondria, track your thoughts to see how accurate they are. Keep a journal every day. Or write in your journal every time you get a foreboding sense that "something feels wrong, but I don't know what it is." Not only might this journal help you if you actually have a real medical problem, but it can also bring insights into your thinking process and help you begin to control the catastrophic thoughts that hinder your recovery and test your and your family's patience.

For help with specific legal issues regarding your Alabama maritime accident, connect with the Vujasinovic & Beckcom team at (877) 724-7800 or www.maritimeaccidentattorney.com.