The Alterhuman Umbrella

Alterhuman / Alternative Humanity Personal Identity (AHPI) is a category of personal identity which encompasses identification that is alternative to the common societal idea of humanity. This term is used as an umbrella term for all the identities and experiences that have recently been lumped together under the word 'Kin', which is actually just a subset of alterhuman identities.

Fictionkin & Otherkin

Kinning is a connection, often spiritual, with a certain species and/or fictional character. This connection is deep enough to identify as them and consider yourselves one in the same. Those who are Kin often believe that they are or were a certain species or fictional character either now or in a past life, due to these beliefs it is widely considered to be involuntary. Many people go through a phase of 'kinsidering' while contemplating if their new ID is a kintype or a different identity such as a c'link or flicker. Kinning is not inherently more valid then any other alterhuman identity.

Many kins involve past life memories, mental shifts, phantom limbs, and other nonhuman behaviors.

Kinning does not mean relating to a character, for this definition please check Synpaths, C'link, and -Hearted

Therians

A therian is someone who identifies as a non-human earthen animal either spiritually or psychologically.

Therian is short for therianthropy or therianthrope. Some therians will have shifts similar to Otherkin or even use the two terms interchangeably. All therians understand that they cannot physically shift and are not physically an animal, they know they are human which differentiates Therianthropy from Clinical Lyncanthropy

Not all therians are spiritual, some are psychological and not all therians have a connection with their theriotype.

Synpaths

Synpath refers to a character you identify strongly with. You can have a strong connection with a character to consider them a part of your identity but not think of them as you. This identity is chosen as opposed many spiritual alterhuman labels which are considered instinctual, due to this synpaths may shift or change over time.

This term is used interchangeably with the terms 'Otherhearted' and 'Fictionhearted'

-Hearted

Otherhearted / Fictionhearted refers to a character you identify strongly with. You can have a strong connection with a character to consider them a part of your identity but not think of them as you. This identity is chosen as opposed many spiritual alterhuman labels which are considered instinctual, due to this synpaths may shift or change over time.

This term is used interchangeably with the term 'Synpath'

Flickers

Fictionflicker is a word to encompass a variety of experiences that do not fit cleanly under the "alterhuman” umbrella. Usually they occur after the consumption of media and involve a temporary shift to a specific character or species from that media. Experiences vary from flicker to flicker, It could feel similar to a kintype, or wildly different. Generally a temporary “taking on” or imprinting on a fictional character or world. Fictionflickers tend to go hand-in-hand with hyperfixations