Herbmione Granger Jul 31, 2017:

Abgrenzung These references illustrate what I think "Abgrenzung" means here:

"Denk endlich an dich selbst, sonst gehst du daran kaputt"
http://www.neon.de/artikel/fuehlen/psychologie/abgrenzung/11...

"So eine Arbeit wird eigentlich nie fertig, man muß sie für fertig erklären, wenn man nach Zeit und Umständen das Mögliche getan hat." J. W. von Goethe
https://hochsensibel1753.wordpress.com/abgrenzung/

It's a self-care thing. As is the (safeguarding from) traumatization.
Another helpful resource: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/provider-type/responder...

Thomas Ackerman, MAT Jul 30, 2017:

Susan You're right! It was my fault for not actually reading through the presentation (I've been sitting in an airport for the past 4,5 hours).

As far as from the perspective of the volunteers, dissociation is NOT what is asked for. I was thinking more along the lines of a presentation from a psychologist on how to deal with trauma and dissociation in refugees. In which case, Ramey's suggestion would be appropriate.

I would say "detachment" is a good choice here, as it can mean temporarily distancing oneself from a situation.

Self-protection, however, sounds a bit like self-defense to me, personally.

Ramey Rieger (X) Jul 30, 2017:

Hi Andrew this is another term that is more subconscious and not so healthy, can even be a compulsion. I am 99% percent certain that one of my suggestions is appropriate - been there, done that.

Lancashireman Jul 30, 2017:

compartmentalisation? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compartmentalization_(psycholo...

Ramey Rieger (X) Jul 30, 2017:

Hi Susan My first choice was actually self-protection, knowing the situation all too well. But detachment in this context is not disengage, or quit, but (not so) simply to distance yourself from the turmoil and confusion prevalent in those you are trying to help. Not exactly aloof or cold, but less personally involved - I found it impossible, to tell the truth.

Susan Welsh Jul 30, 2017:

caritas link posted by Thomas This presentation, titled "Trauma und Abgrenzung," with its subsection "Abgrenzung und Selbstschutz," makes it clear that the Abgrenzung is for the overwhelmed aid workers. Caritas is not recommending that they "distance themselves," certainly not that they become "uninvolved" or "dissociated" (! - dissociation is a pathological psychiatric condition), but rather that they protect themselves psychologically, such as by taking a break now and then -- "Machen sie nach einem belastendem
Gespräch etwas entspannendes" (photo of woman doing yoga exercises). "Detachment" is okay if it is clear that it is temporary (Caritas is not asking you to quit your job), but to me it connotes a more definitive break.

Ramey Rieger (X) Jul 30, 2017:

Good morning Misterherrnau Having worked with refugees over the past two years, suffering along, I can tell you with near certainty that it refers to the volunteers. As almost ALL refugees have been traumatized, it is truly exhausting work for those trying to help them integrate, learn the language, concepts of time and Western mentality, including work ethics, promptness, initiative, etc.