(2023-12-29 18:42)Tdae Wrote:  I disagree with the extremity of the attitude of calling it a "disease" when people are merely fooling themselves. I realize you didn't coin the term, but I suggest maybe you're taking it too seriously. It suggests there is real harm, but what evidence is there that inducing shifts is actually harmful? Let's talk about the pros and cons of inducing shifts, sure, but without the judginess.

Calm down it's just what someone decided to call it back in 2001 and it isn't a medical condition.

If you actually read the post before you start rage-typing, you can see that it was named so after the Medical Student's Disease, which is not a medical condition either.

You can relax as it wasn't Sparrow's intention to steal your spotlight.


Here is a link to the wiki article:
https://therian.fandom.com/wiki/Shifter%27s_Disease

LP,
Dusty

I disagree with the extremity of the attitude of calling it a "disease" when people are merely fooling themselves. I realize you didn't coin the term, but I suggest maybe you're taking it too seriously. It suggests there is real harm, but what evidence is there that inducing shifts is actually harmful? Let's talk about the pros and cons of inducing shifts, sure, but without the judginess.

To start this thread off simple and quick, recently I've been hearing a lot (especially from the pups here) of things along the lines of "how do I force a shift", so I'm here to address exactly why you shouldn't be doing that.

So, first off, what is "Shifter's disease"?
Here's the definition accordingly to the therian wiki:
Shifter's Disease was coined by the members of Shifters.org circa 2001. Individuals who are researching Therianthropy may begin to trick themselves into thinking that normal feelings and sensations that can be explained rationally, are actually therianthropic shifts or evidence of Therianthropy.

Furthermore, this disease is often compared to something called Medical Student's Disease, as this disease makes medical students seemingly gain the symptoms of the viruses they do research on.

What the definition entails essentially goes as is: people doing research into the topic may begin to try and explain attributes of their normal life through Therianthropy. I'm sure a lot of us here had done that when first discovering Therianthropy. Such to say, a big one is often personality. "I must be a cat because I'm reclusive and don't like people!", No, that just means you're reclusive and don't like people.

However, as the community has shown time and time again, it appears this definition goes farther then what has been shown. Such to say, Shifters disease isn't limited to thinking normal experiences are Therianthropy-esque experiences. I've seen people time and time again, say things like "I want to force myself to shift", then the experiences I had when I first discovered therianthropy, trying to get myself to shift just so I could feel happy in my own flesh. Oh, and then there often being a older being there to tell them not to force themselves to shift. From my own findings, it's only created false experiences.. there were identities I felt that were not mine. And as I hear others, it seems I'm not the only one that struggle(s/d) with this either.

Now, how do you get this disease?

Simply enough... Try and push non therian experiences to be therian experiences, whether it be forcing shifts or comparing human traits to therian traits.

Another good point was brought up by someone who commented on this thread... So I'll also explain how to avoid having this phenomenon happen to you!

Essentially, first and foremost... Do not force shifts or thoughts. You'll only have what you want as a person/therian happen to you! If you think about wanting to be a cat.. you will eventually get the belief that you are a cat. Let your shifts happen naturally.. as they normally do if you shift. Remember, not all Therians shift, and they are okay and valid.

If you avoid that for the most part, you are for the most part in the clear! As to other experiences... Question yourself. Question everything you feel. Why do you feel that way? And what makes you therian? Do these traits, likes, dislikes make you therian? If you are confused by what I mean, let me put it simply. A example being this: I like the rain, but it isn't because I'm a wolfkin. I simply like rain. I feel a lot of these things are urge based, such to say the urge to dig a hole may be a therian instinct versus something like just liking dirt. Challenge yourself in your discovery. Your self journey.

Now, you may be asking... What if you are a being that is a shapeshifter or has the ability to essentially transform your being mentally? What about them? As a shapeshifter, here's how I view it! Yes, I am a being that can change form. At will, essentially... But I do not force these changes, and haven't ever. Instead, I let them come naturally.. there will be animals we can change to, as that is a part of our experience, but at the same time, we let our brain (not ourself) decide what we are, if we are anything.

I would also like to put it out there, you are free to ask me questions I may or may not have the answer to. However, some may be best answered by yourself.

I hope this post is able to help the members here, and the guests that may be lurking around. If anyone has feedback, it would be greatly appreciated of you to share!

(2023-10-22 2:00)FernFox Wrote:  It is an identity that someone chooses for themselves based on their experience and sharing the same thoughts/feelings as others in this community.

You can’t choose to be a therian, from what I have learned. (I am not trying to call you out, nor am I angry— I am simply seeking clarification)
Did you mean that when one is awakened, they may decide that they fit with the therian identity?
This is certainly what happened with my otherhearted experience, as I have been connected to my lynxtype for a while and only recently found the community. When I did, it simply clicked, and I knew this is what I am. This cloud be classified as a choice in the context that it’s a crazy awesome choice you never knew you always needed to make. (I may be ranting, I will shush now O_o)
Hoping you aren’t misinformed,

Great big warning for coming out as anything even remotely different: violence will be threatened and sometimes even acted upon, as there are always haters, ignorant people and generally misinformed people (who could possibly be corrected gently and calmed down, but it’s iffy).
CW: talk of violence and death, no apologies will be given

Coming out is a big, stressful, exciting and dangerous deal, but also amazingly freeing if you find acceptance!!
There is a very real possibility you can get k!ll€d for coming out as anything. The world can be a brutal place. Many therians have been killed by trusted people because of their identity alone. Shot like an animal is the reasoning. Always be as safe as you can.

My advice is to ask your parents what they think of therians first, without making any hints that you are one. Respond vaguely if they ask why.
If their response is bad, don’t engage any further, now that you know their opinion. If it’s good, go ahead and tell them in a quiet environment that you feel you have an identity relating to animals. Don’t act like “Mom/Dad/Guardian, I’m a therian” is a terrible thing that you’re ashamed of telling. Tell them instead that you identify internally as your theriotype, and work from there. Answer any questions as well as you can and direct them to good resources for information.
I reccomend the Therian Territory YouTube channel for good info to show to your parents/friends etc and for yourself.
The opinion-then-decide worked well for me (not) coming out as a furry to my parents before I could get away, if it came to that. If your parents’ response is worse than “cringe” then don’t bother to continue with the topic- make sure your safety comes first. If all else fails try to find online therian friends to chat and goof off and find acceptance with.
Parents can be complete idiots anyway, especially the older ones.
IRL and trusted friends that are your age are a better bet, as they might be better versed with the internet and perhaps have seen/read good info on therians.
Losing friends is of course a hazard. Overall it just comes down to how well you know the person and how you approach it. Even if you mess up or they turn out to be a jerk about it you’ll always have someone to support you even then

Good luck to anyone considering this <3

I can't relate too much since my journey was a bit odd.

But I get the last part. The feeling that suddenly...I'm just myself. It's not this facinating, chaotic experience anymore. Just me.

I agree with everything you said! I've only been awakened since September, but I've noticed these therian feelings since I was young. I've done a LOT of reflection on how I felt... As a kid, it definitely used to bother me a lot. Bother me on how I couldn't be a animal, bother me on my shifts, ect. As I've grown, I've realized there's just no way of it ending. So I've learnt to accept it recently... And now it's integrated with who I am.

I suppose something like this should be here (if not, I'll move it), however, I think it's important for this to be put out for everyone to know.

Therianthropy is different for each person, and it is not set in a specific way. We all experience it differently, but I think we can all, or mostly, agree that therianthropy essentially punches you in the face once you realize what you are or as soon as the dreaded puberty comes around.

I only point out puberty because your hormones are all out of back and - in my own belief - I think it effects how we experience therianthropy.
(I find that this also probably contributes to the harshness of the shifts of therians who experience them pretty regularly and find out they were therians once they were around this age.)

At the beginning, though, it is hard. Very, very hard, because ypu realize that what you are isnt, well, what you are in reality. You struggle between human and animal for quite a while, but don't worry, it does get better.

Most therians who deal with this for quite a few years tend to "settle un their skin", per say. You do get the shifts, but they're more integrated into our personalities. It doesn't bother us as much as when we were younger.

This might only apply to some of us, not all of us, but that's the gist.

I'm a copinglink and I basically clink with characters that I have a special spot in my heart just for them because they share the same trauma or stress that I go through or they are just like me in a way.

Basically a copinglink is a coping mechanism that helps me very much with life

Old thread, but still matters. Personally i always tell someone when being told inappropriate things even though ive told them to stop (luckily it’s only been other minors so far. why did i just say luckily-)