Mental Health | The Severance Theory

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.

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)