(2025-02-19 1:02)UniqueUsernameTADA Wrote:  Interesting. I don't know anything about your life, but it is more normal for children to have animalistic behaviours that they grow out of, so perhaps your trauma could have influenced this to continue later in life instead of going away. I'm just speculating, do you have any theory for why you're a therian?

I don't believe my trauma had a lot to do with continuing these behaviors, but I'm no expert. I was definitely a lot more 'pup-like' in terms of my animalistic nature compared to how I am now. As I see it, I've always been part animal, and I think it will always continue to be that way.

As far as a theory goes, I've had some in the past, each time my beliefs changed or understandings grew, my view of therianthropy changed. I don't believe in souls as most typically do (and I will not elaborate on that, I'm still figuring out what I believe in that area) and I don't believe therianthropy is directly tied to neurodivergence either. There was a point when I was getting to be an older teen that I decided to reject therianthropy entirely and focus on being a "normal person", because I didn't know why or how I was a therian anymore. This happened a few times throughout my journey. After a few months I understood I can reject whatever I want but it will never change fact no matter what I feel or think.

In short, no I do not have a full theory on how somebody is a therian, as you can see it's not a one size fits all type thing. Therianthropy shows itself in many ways and can be experienced many ways and I don't think there exactly is a formula, I think we all want to speculate and find answers because it's a sort of elusive topic, but I don't think any amount of theories will crack the code.

My personal understanding is that therianthropy is one of these three things: For some it's a past life experience, others it could be a neurodivergent experience as this thread says, and for others that don't fit either of these, a gift from mother nature. that's all it is. You identify as an animal as well as a human, and you get to experience the intense connection to nature and the wild far better than any human could. I may not know why I am a therian, but it's obvious to me that won't change the fact I am now.

I think that the word you guys are looking for is copingkin. It's similar to c'link but it's involuntary.

Yes, c´links are definitely another example, but if you are a hypochondriac and you unintentionally, unwittingly fixate on an animal, could it not be similar to being a c´link because it is a coping mechanism where you also "fixate" on an animal? Like, you know, both are involuntary choices. Isn't it?

(2025-02-19 5:43)Bloeien Wrote:  Is it possible to be a hypochondriac unintentionally? Because then I'd say it's something like copinglinks. And how could they theoretically be counted as valid?

Well I mean, there's always the chance, and c'links are made to help cope, so i'd still say it was different

About hypochondria: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/hypochondria

You might also be interested in "Shifter's Disease" (Here), since it's one of the things you're mentioning. The same phenomena is common in medical and psychology students, and is why they're cautioned against attempting to diagnose themselves during training (also why doctors and psychologists go to other doctors and psychologists for treatment rather than relying on their own knowledge).

Relatedly, Psychological Priming (here) is when someone is influenced to expect to find something, and then begins associating/seeing/experiencing those things in response to other mundane stimuli.

The same phenomena is often what's happening in paranormal investigation shows on tv, where the investigator begins seeing/experiencing things after being told a story about the area they're visiting; the phenomena they then report is usually identical. The human mind is wired to search for patterns in things, it's part of human's survival adaptations.

If you were given the opportunity to transition into your theriotype, would you without second thought and would that idea release you of your dysphoria, whilst looking forward to it? Regardless, we don't have any coping method that works permanently for species dysphoria right now, other than gear (which doesn't work either for me, but that's a personal matter). The thing is that science doesn't provide in that area. Species dysphoria is very real, unfortunately we don't have anything within medical science that resolves it. It hits home hard, even more so because of what I said regarding the non-existing solution.

I still agree with the fact that there's a recipe of some kind, as people are layers and layers of programming, genetics, nurture and nature anyway, so why not for us therians. Whatever the relationship between neurodivergency and therianthropy may be, it baffles me that most of us do have some condition underlying. But as I came to read just now, this doesn't have to be the case necessarily.

Is it possible to be a hypochondriac unintentionally? Because then I'd say it's something like copinglinks. And how could they theoretically be counted as valid?

(2025-02-19 0:56)CatBark Wrote:  I am not LGBT and i would consider being animalistic has always been a trait of mine. It didn't start as a hyperfixation at all, I've just been always drawn to nature and viewed myself as a dog. As for mental health problems I'm not autistic but do show signs of adhd, but I've never gone to a psychiatrist or gotten diagnosed for anything.

I do have childhood trauma, but my animalistic instincts and connections started before all of that. I also was not raised around pets, so I didn't have that influence growing up. Maybe this is a common theme for therians, but it's not the case for all of them. pretty interesting analysis though.

Interesting. I don't know anything about your life, but it is more normal for children to have animalistic behaviours that they grow out of, so perhaps your trauma could have influenced this to continue later in life instead of going away. I'm just speculating, do you have any theory for why you're a therian?

I am not LGBT and i would consider being animalistic has always been a trait of mine. It didn't start as a hyperfixation at all, I've just been always drawn to nature and viewed myself as a dog. As for mental health problems I'm not autistic but do show signs of adhd, but I've never gone to a psychiatrist or gotten diagnosed for anything.

I do have childhood trauma, but my animalistic instincts and connections started before all of that. I also was not raised around pets, so I didn't have that influence growing up. Maybe this is a common theme for therians, but it's not the case for all of them. pretty interesting analysis though.

(2025-02-18 20:18)Lupus Ferox Wrote:  Do you believe you can be born trans?

If therianthropy was to make its appearance in the DSM-V, multiple ingredients would have to be present in order to call oneself that and for an extended amount of time (say six months in a row f.ex.) even. Neurodivergency, as you put it, is definitely a contender to be part of the recipe. Yes, I believe in the theory you proposed. I also believe that dysphoria sees many similarities no matter it's based on species or gender. If you can be born with one, then in analogue you can be born with the other (or both) as well. I see no difference as dysphoria is a worldwide, widespread, well-known and much talked about phenomenon. Of course, what dysphoria is exactly, will differ from one individual to the next, depending on the stamina, perseverance, of the individual. But... in general, I would say that what it means to be dysphoric is most likely a universal concept. The way we cope, can differ of course.

I do believe that you are born trans, but I am not an expert so I can't say for sure. I guess I see species dysphoria and gender dysphoria as different concepts in more ways than just the cause. The presentation of both of these things is similar, but one can be treated in ways other than transitioning. The only treatment for gender dysphoria is to transition. You can manage species dysphoria through things like gear, yes, but you can also use a variety of other methods. I generally see species dysphoria as something that only appears in conjunction with other mental health issues, so not therianthropy wouldn't be the root cause. Ultimately I don't know for sure if you are born as a therian, but I don't believe that these two types of dysphoria should be treated in the same way.