"Am I Otherkin?"

Nobody can tell you this. Anyone claiming to be able to decide for you, especially over the internet, definitely cannot. Otherkindness, and by extension therianthropy, is by nature a personal and often unique experience, and no two otherkin are alike.

You do not have to go through the questioning process alone, but you should aim to kick the urge to seek validation and opinions from strangers on topics that only concern your internal life. It is important to develop confidence in your own understanding of the self.

Common Experiences

There are several typical experiences for otherkin. Most you meet will be familiar with a majority of these. If more than one phenomenon described is prevalent in your life, it may point towards being otherkin. In that case, continue reading for possible next steps.

  • Experiencing shifts: A shift — from "shapeshift" — describes any sensation or response that meshes with your kintype. There are many varieties of shift, the two most commonly discussed being "mental" (altered behaviour, emotion, or instinct) and "phantom" (perception of non-human body parts).
  • Instincts: May be related to shifts. Inhuman reactions and reflexes, such as prey drive, food cravings, vocalisations, and mimicking animal behaviour.
  • Dysphoria & Euphoria: A deep and persistent yearning to have a different body or lifestyle in line with a certain species. On the flip side, a sense of joy and correctness in being perceived as, or feeling closer to, your kintype.
  • Self-recognition & Self-perception: A sense of familiarity with a certain species. You see "yourself" in photographs, descriptions, and encounters with a non-human creature, or see the individual as a relative of sorts. When imagining, depicting, or recalling yourself, it feels natural to add bestial attributes which may align with a kintype.
  • Dreams: You may have recurring dreams involving taking the form of your kintype, meeting your kintype, or exploring its natural habitat. Note your reaction upon waking from these dreams: are you disappointed it's over?
  • Noemata: Inherent knowledge about your kintype's life or environment. This could manifest as detailed memories of a once-lived life or as "facts" unconnected to a reincarnation event.
  • Homesickness: Longing for places, habitats, or time periods that cannot be explained in another way. You may feel at home in, or seek out, a particular environment.

Identifying a Kintype

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Sourcing Information

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Seeking Community

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"Shifter's Disease"

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