Species Dysphoria is a term used by some Otherkin or [1]Therians (people who identify partially or completely as animals[1]). People who describe having species dysphoria may not feel human spiritually or emotionally, and feel disconnected from their physical body. Species dysphoria is not a clinically-recognized term, but it has been discussed in a few academic papers.
Species dysphoria is usually reported by people who feel connected to animals, but some people identify with mythical creatures like vampires, or objects such as dolls.
Symptoms[]
Since species dysphoria is not clinically recognized, it is defined mostly by patients who self-identify with the term.
The Patients Like Me website describes it as follows:
"Species dysphoria is the experience of dysphoria and dysmorphia involving the belief of one's body being the wrong species. A person may not be happy with their body image and may hallucinate or think of themselves as an animal of some sort."[2]
The site lists the top 5 self-reported symptoms as depressed mood, discomfort, dysphoria, self-hatred or self-loathing, and fatigue.[2]
Community[]
General society often sees otherkin and therians as curiosities or objects of ridicule.[3] This may intensify feelings of isolation and alienation. Some people seek out communities of like-minded people. Online forums, social media groups, and in-person gatherings offer spaces where they can connect with others like them. These communities provide a sense of belonging and validation.[4] A few of these communities include the furry fandom, Alterhumans, [2]Therianthropes, and Otherkin.
The otherkin community sees different-species identification as a difference to accept, rather than a disorder to treat. This can provide a source of belonging for otherkin people.
The otherkin community encourages people to behave in ways that affirm their internal identities. This may include wearing costumes or mimicking animal behaviors like growling and purring.
Treatment[]
There is no medically-recommended treatment for species dysphoria. Thus, treatment may focus on the individual's specific needs. Patients who meet criteria for disorders like anxiety or depression may receive treatment for those conditions.
On Patients Like Me, patients reported taking antidepressant medications and self-medicating with cannabis.[2]
A mental health professional with experience in otherkin identity may be able to provide support and a safe environment. They may help the person develop coping strategies and sort through their identity and spiritual beliefs.
Comparison to medical conditions and spirituality[]
Some people have compared species dysphoria to clinically-recognized diagnoses like body dysmorphic disorder and gender dysphoria.[5] Some researchers have questioned the comparison to gender dysphoria.[4]
Others have compared otherkin identity to religious and spiritual beliefs, which is also controversial.[6] Some otherkin claim to shapeshift mentally or spiritually, feel phantom body parts, go through "awakenings," or believe in parallel universes.[7][8][9][10]
See also[]
References[]
- ↑ Therianthropy, Wikipedia
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Species Dysphoria, Patients Like Me
- ↑ Why be human when you can be otherkin?, University of Cambridge
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Probyn-Rapsey, Fiona. Furries and the Limits of Species Identity Disorder: A Response to Gerbasi et al. Society & Animals 19 (2011) 294-301
- ↑ Species Dysphoria in Ovid’s Metamorphoses (abstract, author unknown)
- ↑ Joseph P. Laycock. “We Are Spirits of Another Sort”: Ontological Rebellion and Religious Dimensions of the Otherkin Community Archived 2020-06-13 at the Wayback Machine. Nova Religio: The Journal of Alternative and Emergent Religions. Vol. 15, No. 3 (February 2012), pp. 65–90. University of California Press
- ↑ Lupa (2007). A Field Guide to Otherkin. Immanion Press. pp. 25–26, 50, 52. ISBN 978-1-905713-07-3.
- ↑ Raven Digitalis (2008). Shadow Magick Compendium: Exploring Darker Aspects of Magickal Spirituality. Llewellyn Worldwide. p. 178. ISBN 978-0-7387-1318-2.
- ↑ Baldwin, Clive; Ripley, Lauren (2020-08-07). "Exploring Other-Than-Human Identity: A Narrative Approach to Otherkin, Therianthropes, and Vampires". Qualitative Sociology Review. 16 (3): 8–26. doi:10.18778/1733-8077.16.3.02. hdl:11089/38377. ISSN 1733-8077. S2CID 225433670. Archived from the original on 2023-06-04. Retrieved 2023-06-04.
- ↑ Kirby, Danielle (2006). "Alternative Worlds: Metaphysical questing and virtual community amongst the Otherkin". In Frances Di Lauro (ed.). Through a Glass Darkly: Collected Research. Sydney University Press. ISBN 1920898549. Archived from the original on 2014-01-02. Retrieved 2012-07-09.