Alterhuman
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Alterhuman is an umbrella term for anyone who has experiences that are beyond what is traditionally considered being "human". It isn't seen as or considered the norm or not derived from humanity. They may identify as being human in ways that are alternate to what is societally common. It's for people who identify as nonhuman or human in a way that is different from what is commonly accepted by society.
A common example of this would be otherkin/therians, (as well as the many more labels like it) or plurality/multiplicity, (aka systems).
Plurality / Multiplicity
What is plurality/multiplicity referring to? What is a system? I can answer that, to put it in simple terms it's when more than one share a single body.
Another way to put it is a human body containing more than one sense of individuality, some degree of separation between several senses of self. Personality, identity, opinions, etc., being segregated into multiple individuals in one body.
As a further explanation, an example would be someone may sometimes feel like they're Noah, masculine, feel like a man and like to stay in and has his own individual likes, dislikes, opinions, etc. Then sometimes they may feel like Sarah, feminine, feel like a women, love to go out along with her having her own likes, dislikes, opinions, etc., having distinct opinions between each identity is a good indicator of being more than just a "several personalities" situation, but rather being more than one person internally speaking.
Or for others, it can be more extreme, coming with heavy amnesia between the different individuals causing one to disappear into the back of their mind and lose control to another of which they won't recall. Again, there's varying degrees of separation possible for all of them. It's an incredibly varied experience, most will not operate or feel the same way.
"System" is commonly used to refer to individuals who are like this but not everyone may use this word. The idea of people experiencing multiple personalities or having different "voices" within them has been documented in various cultures and historical periods. The concept of multiple personalities or "systems" existed before the formal diagnosis of DID, and the understanding of these phenomena has evolved over time. Though dumbing it down to simply several personalities is an outdated take as modernly its more recognized this is further than just having several segregated personalities.
People have identified this way due to spiritual, religious, or for other varying reasons plurality has always existed, as previously stated it's existed as a concept since before the formalization of DID, aka dissociative identity disorder as a diagnosis. Which is where the amnesia and trauma comes in.
Depending on severity/system type, amnesia can be different, affecting memory or emotions.
For a lot, being on this spectrum is considered a coping mechanism.
If you wanna do your own research good luck with all the misinformation, hostile arguments and harassment.
Stay safe!Contrary to the information usually spread online, professionals have mixed opinions on what can or cannot cause a system or how they can or cannot be. As well as having varying opinions on what types of or forms of plurality are "real" or not.
Don't let opinions turn into excuses for hate or harassment. Don't forget, people with contradicting opinions aren't always lying or ill-intended. Accusing every single one of them of lying to spread misinformation when their types of plurality have been around since before DID was put on the DSM or saying they're faking DID when they say they claim to have plurality other than DID is simply arrogant.
I've met several kind, well intending spiritual systems for example and I'd never go out of my way to invalidate their spiritual beliefs to them, imo that feels like simple decency.This is why I'd prefer to stay out of syscourse, everyone's too extreme, too mean about it. Too exhausting. Idm differing opinions if u're not harassing me tho.
Therian / Otherkin
The term otherkin has been around since as early as the 1990s, though the concept of it along with therians has existed long since before. Possibly even earlier than you'd ever even guess, as some believe the earliest recorded evidence of humans identifying with animals is found in prehistoric cave paintings. Otherkin/therians is a subculture of people who identify as partially or entirely nonhuman.
It's not uncommon that people take comfort in or relate to nonhuman creatures, but some feel that on a deeper level for one reason or another surpassing it. With it often seeping into their behaviors and or self-expression. These experiences are so vast, varied, sometimes simple or sometimes so complex that it's difficult to describe it generally speaking any further than I already have.
Some believe their identity derives from spirituality, e.g., reincarnation or it's been seen to sometimes correlate with religion. Some give non-spiritual explanations for themselves like psychology, believing it to be induced by neurodivergence or trauma. It may even relate back to the topic of plurality, via a member of a system being nonhuman.Sometimes these individuals are bullied for being "mentally ill" or accused of and made fun of for being "delusional", so if that's how you behave please avoid interaction with me. These are inherently harmless beliefs and if you believe them possibly being ill justifies ridiculing them, I think you're the problem for mocking what you view as the sick.I don't care if you believe otherkins/therians are simply cringe and incorrect as long as you aren't going around bullying, harassing or forcing your opinion onto others. I hate bullies.
(Still trying to find a digestible yet inclusive link for plurality/multiplicity)
