Kara's Otherkin FAQ

I've been in the otherkin community since 2010 and was extremely active for most of those years, so I know a few things. Most of my knowledge comes from the otherkin and therian forums around the internet, not so much tumblr or twitter.

1. Let's start with the basics. What are otherkin and therian?

Otherkin are people who identify nonphysically as partially nonhuman. Basically, just normal people except we feel like we're mentally part dog/dinosaur/dragonfly/plant/etc. No, we're not delusional. We know we're human, we pay taxes and go to the store like normal people. But it's also NOT playing pretend or just a spirituality. We're not "pretending to be animals", we genuinely feel this way and just want the freedom to express it online in our little niche community or in the private of our own homes, not going around barking in public or whatever. Otherkin can tie into spirituality for some people, but not everyone.

Therians are basically the same except only "real" animals, while otherkin can range anywhere from a willow tree to a vampire. That's just how the different communities developed, it doesn't make much sense but we deal with it. Basically, otherkin is the umbrella term.

The original definition of therian was any beastly animal (not humanoid) instead of only "earthly" animals, so some older therians might use it this way or some newer therians who want to reclaim it. If you're not sure about how someone is using "therian", just ask!

2. What about fictionkin/objectkin/factkin/conceptkin?

Fictionkin typically identify as specific characters, some people consider themselves otherkin if they identify as something like pokemon, but fictionkin can include that as well. Like otherkin, all types of 'kin are aware they're actually human and not literally fictional characters or anything.

Objectkin are people who, well, identify as objects.

Conceptkin, from my understanding, are usually things like voids or songs, just very abstract things.

You may not understand it yourself, but it's definitely not impossible for someone to genuinely identify as something so "weird". As long as they're not hurting anyone, who cares?

Factkin is a touchy subject. From what I understand this could mean someone who identifies as a specific person, dead or alive, or it could mean like, someone who identifies as someone who lived through WWII or was alive in medieval times, etc. "Factkin" was actually a term created by trolls to mock 'kin, but there are definitely genuine factkin out there! Be wary of anyone who may seem like they're trying to steal someone's identity or otherwise take things too far, but like with all identities, there are genuine people out there and we shouldn't shame a whole group for the bad eggs!

3. What is "alterhuman"?

Alterhuman is a broad umbrella term for all things 'kin and anyone who identifies as "not quite human" or "not normal human". Copied from the wiki:
"Some ways of being alterhuman include:
Therian, phytanthrope (plantkin), otherkin, and fictionkin identities
Multiple, plural, median, and walk-in identities
Spiritual self-identities which may still include degrees of humanity such as angelics, celestials, starseeds, god shards, reincarnated gods, vampires, etc.
Identities involving shared self-identification with nonhuman or other alternative human entities/concepts such as animal-hearted, godspouse, soulbond, and spiritual medium identities.
Identities of alternative humanity through disassociation, trauma response, or non-neurotypical mental status."
"Some ways of being both alterhuman and human include:

Transhuman, posthuman, or otherwise h+.
Human fictionkin, fictives and fableings.
Other human system members.
Any identity where you still consider humanity important to you.
Daemians.
Otherhearted people.
Soulbonders.
Channelers and spirit mediums.
Walk-in spirits and starseed."

Alterhuman is an umbrella term and not so much a personal label or identifier. Someone can be in the alterhuman community without identifying as alterhuman themselves. Some people might not like the term "alterhuman" because the "human" part triggers their dysphoria or the "alter" part reminds them of the DID term, so respect someone's wishes if they ask not to be referred to as alterhuman!

4. "I met someone who believed they were ACTUALLY a wolf! Is this otherkin?"

Nope! We clarified in the definition of otherkin that we know we're physically human, therefore by definition, people who are delusional due to mental illness are not considered otherkin. It's likely clinical lycanthropy, a condition where someone believes they are an animal or can turn into one. Or they could be a confused young child who just needs some guidance.

If you see people like this, please, do not harass them. Mental illness is not a joke.

There is, however, a community of people whose nonhuman identity is rooted in delusion, called "endels"! I can't do a great job of explaining it but I highly recommend reading this before making any kind of judgment: https://strawberrybabydog.tumblr.com/post/649271831470194688/endel

5. "But this person growled at me in public, are they crazy?"

People who are otherkin but do "weird" things in public like this probably have something else going on besides just being otherkin. Again, mental illness is not something to be taken lightly or made fun of. Some neurodivergent people tend to do odd things, but as long as they're not hurting anyone, it should be fine.

Or, hell, it could just be a little slip up. We all have bad days. I once growled at another kid in 5th grade because he wouldn't leave me alone, and just did it entirely without thinking, and immediately regretted it. Stuff happens! Try not to judge too harshly.

People claiming to do harmful things online because of otherkinity could be one of 3 things: a troll, a young child, or someone mentally ill. If something seems like it's gone too far, it's probably a troll. If someone is claiming to self harm or want to harm someone else, report them. Just as you would with anyone who isn't otherkin.

6. "How do you know if you're otherkin?"

Some people just know. For some, it's like finding a word for something they've felt for a very long time. For some, they discover otherkinity and question their identity for a while before coming to any conclusion. Firstly I just want to say, it's okay to be wrong! It's perfectly fine if you think you're otherkin only to later realize you were actually kith or just not alterhuman at all. Identity can be very confusing and it's a really long journey. Take things slow, and do what feels right.

If you feel like you don't belong among humans, you may be otherkin. If you feel urges to do things in the ways animals do, you may be otherkin. Really it's just some heckin weird abstract feeling of "I'm not quite human". Only you know the answer, only you can decide if you feel otherkin, or any type of alterhuman.

7. "I think I'm otherkin, how do I know what my kintype is?"

Research. Seriously, lots of research. It can be tedious, but it helps.

I found my kintypes through a mixture of logic and feelings. I find a creature that I think matches my experiences (instinctual urges, phantom shifts, etc), and if looking at this creature feels like looking in a mirror, it's probably a kintype! I'd suggest writing down your 'kin experiences in a journal, but keep in mind that not everything is related to a kintype. Some people are nonkin and want to fly, and that's all there is to it. Dreams aren't typically great places to look for when you're trying to figure out your identity, but they can help. Just remember that only you know your kintype.

8. "What are shifts?"

Mental shifts I would consider to be on a spectrum, where one side is human and the other is your kintype, or if you're polykin (having multiple kintypes), it can be more like a color wheel. Sometimes you feel more human, sometimes you feel more animal and all you want to do is swim or hide in a cozy den, etc. It's hard to describe what a mental shift is if you've never experienced it.

Phantom shifts are when you feel the body part (or lack of body part) of your kintype, as if it were there. Phantom limbs can be experienced by anyone, not just amputees. Phantom shifts can feel very realistic and movable, or they can barely feel like they're there.

Cameo shifts are when you shift into something that isn't your kintype. Nonkin can experience cameo shifts as well.

9. "What is kith? How do I know if I am one?"

Kith is relating to/identifying with a creature/thing/character/etc. The difference is otherkin see themselves as x but kith more like, feel a special closeness to x in a way that cannot be described simply as "really liking x". It's a sense of seeing x thing and feeling like it's family or you can relate to it on some level, but don't consider it "you" or a part of your identity.

Comfort characters are similar. They're just like what they sound like; characters who comfort you to watch/see/read about/etc.

10. "I keep having cameo shifts! Are any of these kintypes?"

You could have frequent shifts as something and not identify as it. It's up to you to figure out whether or not you feel like it's "you". I am a polymorph and struggle with identity stuff, but when considering a kintype I like to ask myself "Do I consider this a big enough part of my identity that I'd want to introduce myself as this (to 'kin or people who know I'm 'kin)?"

I made a tumblr post about confusing shifts/feelings here https://otherskintherianminds.tumblr.com/post/618621232413310976/advice-for-confused-kin

11. "I was x thing in a past life, is this a kintype?"

You can believe you've had a million past lives as a million different creatures, but they're only kintypes if you consider them apart of your identity in this current life. People tend to confuse otherkinity with a belief in animal reincarnation. While many do believe the reason for their otherkinity is rooted in reincarnation, that's not always the case and not every past life is a kintype.

12. "Why are all otherkin wolves and dragons?"

No matter your beliefs, identity is still a partially psychological thing. Imagine you have had 5 past lives, one as a dragon and the others as insects. In this life, you are most drawn to your dragon past life because dragons are cool and powerful and more relatable to humans than insects. We as humans find it easier to sympathize with other mammals and creatures we consider intelligent, or creatures that have similar bodily structure to us, like mermaids and fairies and werewolves.

Of course, if you believe otherkinity is purely a psychological thing, it's easy to see how people would subconsciously choose a "cool" kintype.

13. "Otherkin is harmful to LGBTQ+!"

No, we're not. We are aware we're not LGBTQ+ simply because we're otherkin. Some otherkin overlap into the LGBTQ+ community. Sometimes it's easier to explain otherkin a certain way that compares us to LGBTQ+, but it's typically discouraged against in our community because we do not, in fact, want to make LGBTQ+ look bad.

Secondly, otherkin deserve to be taken as seriously as LGBTQ+. We're not oppressed, but you can't deny that society mostly either doesn't know we exist or hates us. We deserve to be able to express ourselves just as much as anyone else. Please do not police us because homophobes and transphobes etc like to use us against you. It's really not our fault.

For some, their otherkinity affects their sexuality/gender identity or they are intertwined somehow!

14. "Do otherkin just hate being human?"

Some of us? Yeah. I can't deny that. But definitely not everyone. Not every otherkin despises humanity or so badly desires to be physically nonhuman, but some do. And that's okay! Some people struggle with species dysphoria or have had such bad experiences with nonkin that they don't like humans. That's kinda just how it is. But they're not hurting anyone.

15. About species dysphoria

"Dysphoria" is a medical term. It is not owned by the transgender community. There's no other way to accurately describe "feeling uncomfortable as your physical species", so we call it dysphoria. There are other types of dysphoria that exist, and otherkin are not appropriating it from the trans community.

Not every otherkin has species dysphoria, but some feel uncomfortable being physically human. This isn't something they can control. Is it mental illness? Maybe, but as of right now, there's no way to "cure" it. You can tell us to "get help" all you want, but many who struggle with species dysphoria actually DO see a therapist regularly and talk about their species dysphoria. There's no official diagnosis for this and not much a therapist can really do with their limited knowledge on it.

However, there are ways to alleviate species dysphoria. If you experience species dysphoria or know someone who does, you could try looking up more ways to deal with species dysphoria, but here are a few that have helped me personally:
-drawing my kintype
-sitting outside in nature/going on a walk
-walking on all fours/laying like a dog in my bed/other caninelike things
-doing something physical like martial arts

Experiment and find what works best for you! Everyone is different.

16. Copinglink/otherlink

Copinglinkers/otherlinkers are people who consciously choose to identify as a creature/character/object/etc for fun or as a coping mechanism. These people are typically neurodivergent and identifying as something else helps them. They're completely fine in our community and don't do anything wrong! They're just chill people who do certain things for reasons we may not quite understand, but respect.

17. Xenogenders/neopronouns

Not all otherkin do the whole xenogender thing, but some do! Some identify as a certain xenogender but aren't otherkin. The two are not mutually exclusive.

I cannot speak on xenogenders/neopronouns myself because I have limited knowledge on them, but my policy is that as long as people aren't hurting anyone (including themselves), who cares? Let them use fae pronouns or be stargender!

18. "Why are so many otherkin also LGBTQ+?"

I think it's a combination of two reasons. One is that being alterhuman and being LGBTQ+ requires an open mind, so if someone is open to identifying as an animal they're probably more likely to be open to the idea of being attracted to the same gender or identifying as another gender etc. Other reason is that brain do weird. That's it. Some people have "different" brains and that causes them to be a lot of "weird" stuff. Absolutely nothing wrong with that.

That's it for general info/faq about otherkin. If you have any more questions, please, feel free to ask! I promise I won't bite. It's not easy to make me mad and all I want it so spread the correct information about otherkin. I am generally a very understanding person and don't wish harm on anyone. But I'm not perfect either, I'm a dummy and I make mistakes. We're all still learning. But we're all in this together.