blah the Prussian Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Well, the time has come when I must turn to you wonderful people for help. Basically, my sister this morning is insisting she is, in fact, actually a dragon or some idiotic shit like that. Now, I shouldn't have to say that this is 1. false and 2. incredibly insulting to actual transgenders. So basically, does anyone here have any experience with this, and any tips for snapping her out of it? I really, really don't want her to embarrass herself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenix Wright Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 i think you might wanna do much more reading on the subject. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacLovin Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 1. How old is she? 2. If she's still a child, then don't worry. If she's a teen or up, do some reading on it and then try to figure out if she needs to seek professional help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skynstein Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 (edited) Make her eat a taco with pepper and chili sauce.If she still thinks she's a dragon after that fiery meal, report back.I'm sorry, I know this is Serious Discussion and blah's problem is serious, but the concept of "otherkin" is ridiculous, how else can I react?EDIT: Skurge's solution is best. If she's, like, 8, it doesn't hurt to dream a bit. Edited November 30, 2015 by Cerberus87 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naughx Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 (edited) Are you sure that she is being serious and not only playing tricks? You know... People can say things without meaning it. --- That whole otherkin stuff arises from superstition and mythology, there is no scientific approach to it. (And is pretty much a religion by itself) Gender isn't always clearly defined, but being a human is so it isn't comparable at all. Edited November 30, 2015 by Naughx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eclipse Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Erm. . .what? Perhaps some firewall rules to get her off of whatever gave her that insane idea? On a (slightly) more serious note, if otherkin can be any animals, then why is it always the popular ones, and not something like an otherkin silverfish? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terrador Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Honestly? I'd canvass your social circle for anyone smart who treats other kinfolk with respect, and refer her to them. If you approach her with this attitude, literally the only thing you're going to do is anger and alienate her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naughx Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 (edited) Well dragons are fairy tales stuff, so how the hell can you be one? Why not become otherkin poseidon? On a (slightly) more serious note, if otherkin can be any animals, then why is it always the popular ones, and not something like an otherkin silverfish? What about sea cucumbers Clipsey? Edited November 30, 2015 by Naughx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tryhard Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 (edited) I've seen other people who do this, and I can't understand why. I would not be a good person to approach them with this, if they're being serious, because I cannot stop thinking that the whole concept is ridiculous. But who knows. I... kinda agree with you that it dilutes the idea of transgenderism. I wonder if it's a psychological issue rising from a need for attention or something else, but I don't really know. Walking on eggshells. Edited November 30, 2015 by Tryhard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HF Makalov Fanboy Kai Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 she needs some help in my book, the next thing she'll say that is that sexually identify's as an attack helicopter, but if she does say this then she might be joking. either way, make sure that she's actually serious, if not, then just chuckle and say like "you made me worry about you sis, don't do that again please" if she is serious, well, i wouldn't support that decision just because it'll set her up for failure not only in real life, but as a social human. you should most likely point out as well that dragons don't exist, so she can't be one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eclipse Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 What about sea cucumbers Clipsey? Mmmm, yummy. . .ahem. The reason why I don't take the otherkin stuff seriously is because a lot of them seem to identify with popular, "cool" things - wolves, cats, dragons, etc. If there were some actual phenomenon that caused humans to identify with other animals, then there should be stuff like otherkin sugar ants, millipedes, plankton, etc. It's one thing to have an active imagination, but it's quite another to ask others to modify their behavior because of it. I see this as more of a phase than a serious issue. . .for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tryhard Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 If there was any scientific research or papers detailing such a phenomenon, I would be glad to read them in order to take it much more seriously. I haven't seen any, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naughx Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 If there was any scientific research or papers detailing such a phenomenon, I would be glad to read them in order to take it much more seriously. I haven't seen any, though. I guess it is more of a subcultural thing to feel "separated" from the mainstream culture. Wanting to be different and less generic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sånıc Bÿm Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Viserys began to scream the high, wordless scream of the coward facing death. He kicked and twisted, whimpered like a dog and wept like a child, but the Dothraki held him tight between them. Ser Jorah had made his way to Dany's side. He put a hand on her shoulder. "Turn away, my princess, I beg you." "No." She folded her arms across the swell of her belly, protectively. At the last, Viserys looked at her. "Sister, please . . . Dany, tell them . . . make them . . . sweet sister . . ." When the gold was half-melted and starting to run, Drogo reached into the flames, snatched out the pot. "Crown!" he roared. "Here. A crown for Cart King!" And upended the pot over the head of the man who had been her brother. The sound Viserys Targaryen made when that hideous iron helmet covered his face was like nothing human. His feet hammered a frantic beat against the dirt floor, slowed, stopped. Thick globs of molten gold dripped down onto his chest, setting the scarlet silk to smoldering . . . yet no drop of blood was spilled. He was no dragon, Dany thought, curiously calm. Fire cannot kill a dragon. Can fire kill your sister, blah2127? If so, then she is not a dragon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blah the Prussian Posted November 30, 2015 Author Share Posted November 30, 2015 She's thirteen. At this point I might try to recruit some of her friends to help her. Also, why is there no way to like "sexually identify as an attack helicopter"?XD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maritisa Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 (edited) EDIT : Added some formatting to make the wall a bit easier to read. Thirteen is still pretty young, but I'll say what I've to say anyway. I've wanted a long time to bring this to light and it might help both you and others out. I've a few friends who loosely identify like this. The thing is, there's two types. Firstly there's the type who want to be something special, or just identify with some other appearance they envision for themselves. Sometimes, if left unchecked, it might go too far; "otherkin" need to remember that if they actually do have an identity of another sort, (The second type) it should only come out around people they trust. To the normal world, they need to act like normal people, even if to them it means putting on a facade. The first type usually either have a poor grasp of that, or are only doing it for the attention. It's something that may go away or change depending on if they start to feel comfortable around normal folk; it basically extends from a need to be special, to stand out, to want to feel like they aren't just some average joe. They could feel praise deprived or unappreciated, and likely want attention, either out of being deprived of it after being accustomed to it, or because they've never gotten enough of it... If they're given those things for other reasons, it's likely to subside, as the whole spiel will no longer be necessary. These are the most common type and the phenomena itself doesn't deserve much worry. The causes itself can usually be remedied by those close. Be delicate with the subject, don't actively deny it or scold them for it, but make sure that your attention and/or care is identifiably for a different reason. In some cases, familial care may feel obligated or illegitimate, especially from parent to child... As her brother, you should stand a better chance at reasoning, but again, keep this in mind and remember that you don't just want to be a brother, but you want to be a friend, too. Honestly, this goes for any scenario involving family, and really should be common sense/knowledge, but it appears to not be... And the other type is far more extreme, and much, much rarer. People who believe wholeheartedly that their spirit is that of something else. Unlike the previous sort, this identity has likely been around for quite sometime, and either lives in parallel with the "human side" of the person, or has "overtaken" that side. This sort will rarely bring it up to people unless they feel very safe around them; it's oft a mark of their highest trust in someone. To not accept this side of them is oft the most crushing thing you can do to them. This behavior may be an extension of the former, the result of it being left alone too long or perhaps left to develop in silence. But it's also possible to have developed on its own for other reasons. The most common is that of being a misfit or outcast amongst the norm, for reasons they may feel they do not understand or have control over. They may try to come up with reasons and come to the conclusion "I'm just... special somehow; not like other people." An "Otherkin" scenario is a possible result of this. Usually people will latch onto an animal or creature they feel fondly towards, and more often so something mysterious to them. Dragons are a natural choice. However, sometimes it's something more complex, and in a few particularly extreme cases could possibly even count as a form of Multiple Personality Disorder. These people are oft painfully aware that they have a human body, or share a human spirit. Sometimes they might even "know" why. These sorts of people tend to actually know all the "reasons" why they are how they are, and it's basically impossible to convince them otherwise.To attempt to do so is basically claiming that they do not exist, when, yet, while not in their "true form", they stand there before you. This situation is basically un-"curable". I say that in quotation marks because these sorts of people are usually much better at keeping themselves in check, only revealing themselves to those they trust. It's extremely important to be tolerant in this case, because typically, again, this is a mark of their ultimate trust in you. If you deny it they'll either be crushed or feel absolutely betrayed, and it'll permanently damage or destroy your friendship. Be open to an explanation; it may make sense to you in a way, and you might be able to accept it without lying to them. In some cases, they may claim to be someone different, and, again, go along with it. Hear them out. They will usually still share some of the tendencies of the person you know, but in these extreme cases it's really possible for them to seem like very different people. I suppose, if you're acquainted with the idea, treat it as a roleplay. It'll help keep things a little steadier. It's important to remember that this type isn't something that'll go away. If you really don't feel comfortable with the idea, just make sure they know you'd rather them act human around you instead. Express your discomfort by explaining why, without one it'll feel like a rejection or that you want nothing to do with them. Even still, be extremely careful about how you handle it, because this sort of person tends to be very sensitive. In this particular case, them telling you of their existence as something else is very similar to that of "coming out" as homosexual to a heterosexual friend with an unstated stance on the matter; not necessarily out of any homoromantic desires, but just because you're a friend very close, and they need to say this important thing they've hidden from you, to know if you won't throw them away as a friend because of it. I've grown quite tired of people lumping this second type in with the first, since all it does is make them shut themselves away even further. They're not the sort of people who go blabber around on tumblr or whatever about their angst, or go boasting about how special they are; it's something very personal and close to them, and they want more than anything to be accepted despite how different they are. As one who believes in a split between the Ethereal and Physical realm, the existence of an "Aura" or "spirit", and in the possibility of worlds beyond our own, I feel there could be a degree of truth to their words... But that's just me. The rest of you aren't like that, so it boils down to accepting them as a friend despite their differences, something I certainly hope the majority of you do on a regular basis. tl;dr: Type 1 is the stereotypical kind, and boils down to a need to be special that likely spurs of feeling deprived of praise, appreciation, or possibly just attention. They're the type who'll boast about it online, or mope on some website for sympathy, all for the sake of getting some attention; some feeling of people caring about them in some form or another. Providing them the things they feel deprived of in some way not relating to their "otherkin" status will likely cause them to leave it behind, as it isn't needed for them to be "special" anymore.Type 2 is far more complex and both sincere and resolute, often as a result of being "special" for a very long time, and being isolated because of it. To them it's a much more personal matter and revealing it is oft a mark of their ultimate trust in a person. Unlike type 1, they're usually better at keeping a facade at play, and usually seem normal. In this case, you need to consider your friendship with that person instead of their stability in society, as rejecting them will usually feel like betrayal to them; they are typically perfectly capable of, though reluctantly, functioning fine in the outside world. There's no way to "cure" them, so you'll need to either accept it or passively dissuade them from involving you, if you plan to keep your friendship intact.Above all, the most important thing is to treat it delicately. Do not, under any circumstances, attempt to confront it head-on, "force them to come to their senses", or anything of the nature. I cannot stress this enough. In both cases, this will just result in damaging your relationship, and will make the other person even more reluctant to "act normally." Any results will be forged of fear rather than trust; you need to identify the source of their issue and remedy it in an indirect way. Remember that they are your friends before they are anything else. It should go without saying, do not even attempt to speak about it with someone you don't know personally unless you're a very accepting type. Providing indirect aid will still be fine, as long as you're subtle about it, as usual. Hopefully, this should clear up most misgivings about these types of people, and help out anyone who needs advice on what to do in regards to it... Edited November 30, 2015 by Ritisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ansem Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 oh shes young i think the embarrassment you are trying to shield her from is the only thing that will snap her out of it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twice Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 tumblr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blah the Prussian Posted November 30, 2015 Author Share Posted November 30, 2015 So basically I've already screwed up by telling all of you? She's definitely type 1, incidentally; she told all her friends at school today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapier Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 (edited) the next thing she'll say that is that sexually identify's as an attack helicopter that sounds awesome, I think I'll follow the trend. I really don't know. It is always better to take someone to a psychologist, but I'm not sure if it will be worse in this case because your parents will have to force her to go. In long term, though, this seems the best option. Maybe it's not such a big issue and she'll get out of it after a few months. Or, in the worst case, your sister is actually a Fetch. Sorry to inform you, but she was captured by elves when she was a baby and exchanged for a magical constructed copy who suddenly realizes they're a fantastic creature and not the real deal. Fret not, though: You may try to exchange her back by trading her for a human that sexually identifies themselves as an attack helicopter (thanks, tumblr, your fantasies can surprise even elves). Edited November 30, 2015 by Rapier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 It's just a phase, it will wear off, like most defiant teenage stages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I.M. Gei Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 sorry for your loss op (she'll grow out of it in due time and look back on it in embarrassment, i'm sure) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elieson Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 I'm pretty sure that 4chan has a board for dragon porn. You might want to introduce her to that, really push her into the deep end and see what a traumatic reaction can be. Alternatively, ask her if she's cold-blooded and introduce her to encyclopedia britannica. I'm serious; push her to tell you exactly what kind of dragon she is. There isn't just a "Dragon", and giving her that work to do might push her interest out the window, or knock common sense into her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blah the Prussian Posted November 30, 2015 Author Share Posted November 30, 2015 Wait, wait, correction, it's a wolf. Also, I'm pretty sure my life would be over if my mom found out I was showing my sister bestiality porn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elieson Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Oh I missed the 13 part. She'll grow out of it. She just wants to be Maleficent or something of the like, aka cool by her terms. Still; like I said. Push her to identify with a Specific type/breed. Make her work for it. If she's serious about this, she'll do it and come to her senses. If she's not serious about it, she'll move on to something else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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