This book begins to examine the identity phenomenon and ontological phenomeon known as Modern Therianthropy and dispels a few common misconceptions about the people known as Therianthropes.
Another recent study "An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Identity in the Therian Community" states,
"In the archaeological and anthropological literature, therianthropy is not considered an illness but rather it is associated with spiritual experiences. Although therianthropic beliefs and experiences seem to be an accepted part of culture in many non-Western countries, this normalization and validation of experiences does not generally appear to extend to Western culture."
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There are communities which share similarities to Therianthropy, but developed separately, such as Otherkin and Furries. These communities can overlap. Some Therians may enjoy participating in Furry culture and some Therians may also identify as Otherkin. It should also be noted that Otherkin can be used an umbrella term for all nonhuman identified people including Therians. This is explained as, "All Therians are Otherkin, but not all Otherkin are Therians." There is also the term Alter-human. Future books will examine the Furry Fandom and Otherkin Identity in more detail.
Instinctual, bestial behaviors are characteristic of Therianthropic shifts, and most Therians identify as real-world animals whether currently living species or extinct species such as dinosaurs. There is not a hard distinction, however, and individuals with mythological or non-earth animal identities may have experiences that are best supported by the Therian community, such as individuals who identify as dragons. These individuals can choose to use the term theriomythic to describe themselves.
