What it's like to have DID: Encina

 

Encina Severa

Encina Severa, also known simply as Encina, is a mental health advocate who has openly shared their experiences of living with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). They have participated in interviews and created content to educate others about DID, raise awareness, and combat stigma surrounding the condition. Encina's openness and ability to articulate the complexities of DID have made them a recognized voice within the mental health community.

Key Points About Encina and Their DID Advocacy:

1. Interviews and Media Presence:

   • Encina has participated in interviews to shed light on what it’s like to live with DID, discussing their personal journey, the experiences of their system (the collective term for their alters), and the challenges and misconceptions associated with the condition.
   • Their interviews often focus on breaking down myths about DID, emphasizing its roots in severe trauma, and advocating for a compassionate understanding of dissociative disorders.

2. Education Through Personal Experience:

   • Encina speaks candidly about the realities of living with DID, including switching between alters, memory gaps, and the process of working toward system cooperation. They often explain how their alters fulfill specific roles or functions that helped them survive traumatic experiences.
   • They highlight the importance of therapy, self-awareness, and ongoing efforts to build communication and trust within their system.

3. Raising Awareness About Trauma:

   • A core part of Encina’s advocacy is emphasizing the link between DID and early, severe, and repeated trauma. They use their platform to educate others about how dissociation serves as a protective mechanism in the face of overwhelming experiences.

4. Misconceptions and Media Representation:

   • Encina has addressed harmful stereotypes and sensationalized portrayals of DID in media, explaining how these depictions often fail to capture the lived experiences of individuals with the condition. They work to promote accurate and empathetic representations.

5. Advocacy and Community Building:

   • Encina’s work fosters a sense of community for individuals with DID and other trauma-related disorders. They encourage open discussions about mental health and provide resources and support for those navigating similar experiences.

6. Emotional and Social Challenges:

   • In interviews, Encina has described the social and emotional challenges of living with DID, such as dealing with skepticism, navigating relationships, and managing the daily complexities of having multiple identities within one body.

Impact of Encina's Advocacy:

Encina’s willingness to share their story has had a significant impact on reducing stigma and fostering understanding of DID. Their interviews and advocacy work serve as a valuable resource for people both within the DID community and those seeking to learn about dissociation and trauma. Encina continues to inspire others by highlighting the resilience and strength of individuals living with complex trauma histories.

"Encina is living with dissociative identity disorder (DID). She explains what it's like to live with 11 personalities in this video. And she introduces us to one of her alters.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), It's estimated that 2% of people experience dissociative disorders, with women being more likely than men to be diagnosed. Because of the way dissociative identity disorder (DID) is portrayed in the media, most people don't understand what the disorder actually entails, or how common it actually is. In this Patient Spotlight video, you'll meet Encina, who sheds light on her experience living with DID. You'll also meet Minnie, the three-year-old girl living inside Encina's body. “I wish people understood that this isn’t just an alter-ego. This isn’t something we just made up. These are other, actual people, with their own lives. Their own likes, dislikes. Their own taste of music. Their own personalities. They all look different. They just share one body.” -Encina Severa"