Physical Therianthropy

Physical therianthropy is the term for individuals who experience therianthropy on a bodily level, meaning they involuntarily identify as a non-human animal physically. This could mean identifying as having the body of a (theriform) animal or physical animalistic traits/characteristics.

Physical therianthropes may experience their identity in a "literal" or "metaphorical" way. Metaphorical therianthropy means to identify as having the body or physical characteristics of an animal in some metaphorical, philosophical or otherwise non-tangible way. Some metaphorical physical therians may feel like their body is an extension of their mind/soul, thus the same species that they identify as on that level, like the term concothere. Another common experience of metaphorical therianthropy is the idea it makes sense, or that they wish for their body to be viewed as nonhuman and that they thus also view it as such. The metaphorical/literal categorization aims to further describe the unique experiences of physical nonhumanity, especially considering how commonly excluded the community is.

Overlap with other communities

Physical therianthropy is rather heavily tied to both the holotheric and zoanthropic communities, as many within those groups also fall under and use the term physical therian. Though note that isn't always the case, and these terms are neither mutually exclusive nor share a definition. Some physical therianthropes may also claim or describe experiencing physical shifts, a shift in which one's physical body somehow changes to be like that of one's theriotype, or another creature. While generally considered scientifically disproven, the practice, theory and belief in physical transformation still holds great significance, both historically and currently. Physical shifting was mentioned in reference to therianthropy in the "Do you actually believe you're a werewolf?" section of AHWW's core FAQ.

"You'll find that there is no one answer to any question on AHWW. The concept of lycanthropy is held by some to be just an interesting myth, and to others as a means of explaining their worldview; with many gradations of belief in-between. I personally have never seen a man transform physically into an animal, and cannot do it myself; but I'll never rule that possibility out."

Some physical therians may also consider themselves transspecies, or prefer that term generally. These communities share the largely physical aspect of alterhuman identity along with alignment with a non-human animal species. Another experience commonly shared by the communities is the will to transition, whether physically or socially. Of which transspecies is also an old term, being first used on the 16th of November in 1999.

Causes/identity's origin

Physical therianthropy may be caused by practically anything, and like any type of therianthropy, it can also be believed to have no cause. Generally, physical therianthropy shares theoretical causes like psychological therianthropy, along with common beliefs on spiritual origins.

Physical therianthropy may also tie into trauma or body dysmorphia/dysphoria, similar to the term greithere.

Some physical therians, most commonly zoanthropic ones, may believe that have originally been a theriform animal, but their form was altered either through experimentation or some form of transformation.

Misconceptions

Physical therianthropy is an experience of therianthropy that's rather misunderstood, some common misconceptions being:

"That's a new thing! Therianthropy used to be strictly non-physical" - As stated in the section below this, physical therianthropy is, in fact, not a new concept and has been around as long as modern therianthropy. For example, as stated in the Therian Guide, a therian is defined as "A person who experiences being and identifies as a non-human animal on an integral, personal level." With no mention of it being only physical or non-physical. An older example of physical therianthropy being mentioned is in the "What's "spiritual therianthropy"?" segment of AWHH's FAQ.

"All therians should know they're human" - While this is commonly based in a feeling of wanting to help, it's still a harmful thing to say. No matter if the individual you tell this to is metaphorically or literally non-human, delusional or not, it perpetuates ableist views on delusional folk. Along with this, no part of the definition of therianthropy would inherently exclude anyone whose experience is delusional or medical. This also disregards the fact that many therians, physical or not, just identify as entirely nonhuman. And while some are also simultaneously or partially human, claiming all have to "know" to be something most don't identify as/are.

History

Physical therianthropes and otherkin as a whole have existed as long as the community itself. An example of this is its mention in the otherkin FAQ from 2001. In the earlier days of the community, when werecreatures were still the focus of identity, physical therianthropy was also commonly defined as experiencing physical transformation, to complement the mental transformation experienced by spiritual therianthropes.