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Welcome to Respite deals with serious topics such as mental illness and the effects of trauma. While this experience is meant for entertainment only, it is our intention to use our platform to promote empathy towards those who are struggling mentally, and to end stigma against such illnesses.
Mental health affects all of us. An astonishing one out of five U.S. adults experience a mental illness at some point in their lives, with a multitude of symptoms that not only challenge individuals and their families, but communities as a whole. Those who choose to seek help should be applauded and supported when they reach out to manage these difficulties.
We believe that change begins with the individual. We encourage our audience to take action in their daily lives by showing compassion and supporting those who may be struggling. Working towards mental well-being should be normalized and celebrated.
Representing Dissociative Identity Disorder
The Severance Theory was inspired by the true stories of people living with Dissociative Identity Disorder. The goal of this experience is to highlight the impact that trauma can have on your life and your relationships and promote empathy for those who are struggling.
This experience focuses on the relationship with the self, and the way that we can come to a place of healing through facing our inner demons. While Welcome to Respite is for entertainment only, it carries with it the responsibility to highlight these important issues regarding mental health.
Welcome to Respite uses theatrical effects and symbolism to help tell its story. Those who have DID may not experience symptoms in the same way.

WHAT IS DISSOCIATIVE IDENTITY DISORDER?
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), previously known as multiple personality disorder, is an extremely rare and complex psychological condition. It is characterized by a person's identity fragmenting into two or more distinct personality states.
Most cases of Dissociative Identity Disorder involve some form of long-term abuse, usually from early childhood. If a person experiences trauma for a long period of time, that person might dissociate from the self in order to avoid distress. Over time, this coping mechanism can result in the individual having a fragmented identity.
Internal Voices
Amnesia
2+ Personality States
Flashbacks
Anxiety and Depression
Dissociation
Sleep Disorders
Depersonalization
Self-Destructive Behavior
+ More
SYMPTOMS
Terminology
Commonly used to describe phenomenon associated with aspects of DID
Understanding Multiplicity
Functioning almost like an entirely separate person from the Host (Core) Personality, alters can have different names, genders, ages, attitudes, preferences, appearances and even psychobiological responses.
Alters
Dissociate
System
Switch
Inner World
Core/Host Personality
Fronting
Integration
Split
understanding Alters
People with DID experience themselves as having separate identities known as alters, or alternate identities. Alters take over control of the person's thoughts, body or behavior at various times. Each can function independently. All the alters together make up the person's whole personality.
Functioning almost like an entirely separate person from the Host (Core) Personality, alters can have different names, genders, ages, attitudes, preferences, appearances and even psychobiological responses.

Alter Types
Alters will take on different roles within a personality system including, but not limited to:
Child/Little Self-Helper Protector Persecutor Animal Caretaker Fragment Non-human
Apparently Normal Parts (ANPs)
The rational, present-oriented, and grounded parts of the individual that handle daily life.The jobs of the ANP include social interaction and attachment, taking care of others, work, play, exploration, learning, and taking care of physical needs
Emotional Parts (EPs)
The parts of the personality that represent the dissociation or that contain the traumatic materials (memories of the trauma, internalized beliefs and perceptions, learned responses, etc)
Find Help
US Hotlines and Crisis Services
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
1-800-273-TALK(8255)
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
LGBTQ Services: The Trevor Project:
1-866-488-7386
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services:
1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Depression Hotline: 1-630-482-9696
National Child Abuse Hotline:
1-800-422-4453
Sexual Assault and Rape Survivor Support
1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and LGBTQ Support:
1-805-983-6014
European Crisis Services
Mental Health Europe
https://www.mhe-sme.org/who-we-are-2/
Open Counseling
https://www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
Shout 85258