Disconnection sounds cold. It isn't. It is one of the most challenging and surprisingly human skills I have developed. The problem is how it creeps into my writing.
I loved the way you explained clinical detachment. As someone who has worked in clinical spaces too, I could really relate to it as a skill rather than something cold, and to how difficult it is to develop while still staying present with people.
I also really loved your description of your marriage and the way you both know and respect each other while still being so different. The line about him probably never reading this and, if he does, having a lot to say about it made me laugh because my partner would be exactly the same 😂 You connect different concepts so well. I love your writing.
Aaawee thank you so very kindly Sara, your clinical background is pretty impressive, so I appreciate your comment. Lol husbands that we adore! I love that it resonated I think differences are fun, we just accept each other for who we are.
I used talk to text in word this time to see how I sound.... It came up with obscure words! But I think it really helped move my writing closer to the way I speak and sound.
Aww thank you Kat. I think the talk to text really worked because this piece felt so much like you speaking. And yes, husbands we adore despite all the differences 😂
Shit. Ok so I'm not clinical in anyway, although the more I write on here the more undiagnosed I feel 🤦🏼♀️
Apart from that, I understand finding your writing voice, it's quite freeing to not include references or clauses when it's creative and not research.
I was interested in the detachment part. While I haven't experienced in a clinical setting, I find I can become practical and calm in stressful situations but my sleeve catching on a door can send me into a spontaneous breakdown. 😂 but could relate to detaching in my other jobs thinking about dinner when thinking about dinner was wildly inappropriate.
As far as relationships go, I'd probably take advice from you since you know how to argue and communicate.
This is my first essay of yours I've delved into so my comment may seem vague but honestly offended I haven't come across you earlier! 😭
Oh no are you OK Kelly? I didn't mean to freak you out! I am glad you are here, its a great start!
Here I am being a little dramatic and sarcastic about diagnosis, oops! hopefully it's received well. What I am really talking about is 'health detachment' as a coping mechanism.
Healthy detachment occurs when you are able to remain calm in any stressful situation like what you have described. You can continue to make good choices or complete show care and empathy towards others. I am able to reconnect with others after the event is over.
Unhealthy detachment is really the opposite, trauma response, unprocessed emotions or abuse. Where one is not able to show empathy or care for another person, generally feels numb.
Doors are a pain in the butt! I would suggest removing them! (joke!) My suggestion would be pay attention to what is happening for you before you get annoyed with the door.
Yes I know how to argue and communicate! It's a pain for others:-)
I should probably move my essays into something more useful for my readers. At the moment my writing voice and identity is a big part of it. I do have 54 drafts of alternative topics. If you like this one, may I suggest 'Jodie', another form of coping, during highly stressful situations called 'countertransference'.
Katerina, this article is wonderfully woven together the concept of detachment and connection. I have worked in areas where clinical detachment was a necessity for me to give my best work. Learning that skill can leak over, but we remain cognizant of the person. I love your honest take on relationships and seeing them for what they really are - messy and never like they’re presented to be. Personalities, pasts, and other factors are complex in themselves and become more about understanding oneself and translating that where care and respect is met. Thank you for sharing your perspective and thoughts so honestly 🫶🏼
Aaawee Lauren thank you so much for this comment it's nice of you to share your experiences of clinical detachment...
Its definitely a skill. My challenge is that it clicks into motion unexpectedly sometimes...Iam noticing...it use to be on demand.
It has definitely taught me a lot about relationships and the advice that is out there...I don't share a lot about relationships on here but it's where Iam with my journey atm. My first time being so blunt about it really. I am glad it was received well 💕
Katerina, the essay’s central discovery arrives when a skill that once protected your capacity in the hospital begins entering the page and altering how the reader encounters the person. Your insistence that the person must come before the observational summary gives this PhD journal its ethical center. Your husband’s ability to read you without performance offers a revealing counterpoint: disconnection may support the work, while trusted relationship keeps you available to yourself. Thank you for documenting the moment professional competence became a question about voice, presence, and the kind of researcher you want to become.
Learning about disconnection really teaches us about connection. Understanding the difference is really important. Are there times where you find yourself disconnecting during the work, and as you continue working?
I loved the way you explained clinical detachment. As someone who has worked in clinical spaces too, I could really relate to it as a skill rather than something cold, and to how difficult it is to develop while still staying present with people.
I also really loved your description of your marriage and the way you both know and respect each other while still being so different. The line about him probably never reading this and, if he does, having a lot to say about it made me laugh because my partner would be exactly the same 😂 You connect different concepts so well. I love your writing.
Aaawee thank you so very kindly Sara, your clinical background is pretty impressive, so I appreciate your comment. Lol husbands that we adore! I love that it resonated I think differences are fun, we just accept each other for who we are.
I used talk to text in word this time to see how I sound.... It came up with obscure words! But I think it really helped move my writing closer to the way I speak and sound.
Aww thank you Kat. I think the talk to text really worked because this piece felt so much like you speaking. And yes, husbands we adore despite all the differences 😂
Oh thanks, you would know yes since we spoke!! Enjoy your weekend 😉
Shit. Ok so I'm not clinical in anyway, although the more I write on here the more undiagnosed I feel 🤦🏼♀️
Apart from that, I understand finding your writing voice, it's quite freeing to not include references or clauses when it's creative and not research.
I was interested in the detachment part. While I haven't experienced in a clinical setting, I find I can become practical and calm in stressful situations but my sleeve catching on a door can send me into a spontaneous breakdown. 😂 but could relate to detaching in my other jobs thinking about dinner when thinking about dinner was wildly inappropriate.
As far as relationships go, I'd probably take advice from you since you know how to argue and communicate.
This is my first essay of yours I've delved into so my comment may seem vague but honestly offended I haven't come across you earlier! 😭
Oh no are you OK Kelly? I didn't mean to freak you out! I am glad you are here, its a great start!
Here I am being a little dramatic and sarcastic about diagnosis, oops! hopefully it's received well. What I am really talking about is 'health detachment' as a coping mechanism.
Healthy detachment occurs when you are able to remain calm in any stressful situation like what you have described. You can continue to make good choices or complete show care and empathy towards others. I am able to reconnect with others after the event is over.
Unhealthy detachment is really the opposite, trauma response, unprocessed emotions or abuse. Where one is not able to show empathy or care for another person, generally feels numb.
Doors are a pain in the butt! I would suggest removing them! (joke!) My suggestion would be pay attention to what is happening for you before you get annoyed with the door.
Yes I know how to argue and communicate! It's a pain for others:-)
I should probably move my essays into something more useful for my readers. At the moment my writing voice and identity is a big part of it. I do have 54 drafts of alternative topics. If you like this one, may I suggest 'Jodie', another form of coping, during highly stressful situations called 'countertransference'.
Katerina, this article is wonderfully woven together the concept of detachment and connection. I have worked in areas where clinical detachment was a necessity for me to give my best work. Learning that skill can leak over, but we remain cognizant of the person. I love your honest take on relationships and seeing them for what they really are - messy and never like they’re presented to be. Personalities, pasts, and other factors are complex in themselves and become more about understanding oneself and translating that where care and respect is met. Thank you for sharing your perspective and thoughts so honestly 🫶🏼
Aaawee Lauren thank you so much for this comment it's nice of you to share your experiences of clinical detachment...
Its definitely a skill. My challenge is that it clicks into motion unexpectedly sometimes...Iam noticing...it use to be on demand.
It has definitely taught me a lot about relationships and the advice that is out there...I don't share a lot about relationships on here but it's where Iam with my journey atm. My first time being so blunt about it really. I am glad it was received well 💕
Katerina, the essay’s central discovery arrives when a skill that once protected your capacity in the hospital begins entering the page and altering how the reader encounters the person. Your insistence that the person must come before the observational summary gives this PhD journal its ethical center. Your husband’s ability to read you without performance offers a revealing counterpoint: disconnection may support the work, while trusted relationship keeps you available to yourself. Thank you for documenting the moment professional competence became a question about voice, presence, and the kind of researcher you want to become.
Learning about disconnection really teaches us about connection. Understanding the difference is really important. Are there times where you find yourself disconnecting during the work, and as you continue working?