Hay Famosos Therían, aceptable o inaceptable?

Psychiatrist Rafa López differentiates Therians from individuals with clinical conditions like lycanthropy or zoanthropy. While the latter involves a genuine delusion of being an animal, Therians understand they are human but seek to assume an animal identity. Their condition is not a biological psychiatric illness, but rather a psychological and social phenomenon.

López states, 'Cuando un psiquiatra identifica a una persona que realmente cree que es un animal, eso se llama diferente. Es lo que se llama licantropía o soatropía... Cuando estamos hablando de los terian... no son personas psiquiátricamente enfermas desde una perspectiva biológica.'

The rise of Therianism is attributed to societal factors, particularly loneliness and the human need for identity and belonging. Younger generations (Gen Z and Alpha) socialize less in traditional ways, leading them to seek identity groups online. Social media amplifies these behaviors, turning them into 'social fashions' driven by the pursuit of likes and recognition.

López notes, 'Estamos tan solos, Javier, estamos tan solos... empezamos a buscar grupos.' He adds, 'todo esta este ruido mediático hace que también las personas vean en el tema de los terians la posibilidad de likes, identificación, de reconocimiento y entonces pues se van volviendo también moda sociales.'

While expressing identity is generally acceptable, it crosses into a psychological disorder when it leads to self-harm or puts others at risk. Examples include biting people, engaging in dangerous behaviors (like acting as a snake in traffic), or abandoning family responsibilities. At this point, professional psychological intervention is necessary.

López states, 'El problema es que son muchas veces chicos y chicas inmaduras... que ponen su vida o su salud en riesgo o la de alguien más.' He cites an example of Therians biting a child and another of someone acting as a snake in traffic. 'Cuando te pones en riesgo a ti o pones en riesgo a alguien más, entonces ya estamos hablando de trastornos psicológicos de personalidad.'

Parents have a crucial role in guiding children's identity formation. While respecting a child's feelings, it is essential to establish logical boundaries and distinguish between fantasy and reality. Allowing children to believe they are animals or to engage in dangerous behaviors out of fear of 'traumatizing' them is considered negligent and irresponsible.

López explains, 'La responsabilidad de que la integren de una forma sana y adecuada es de papá, mamá y el resto de los adultos.' He argues against the idea of 'no le digas que no a nada porque lo vas a traumar,' stating, 'Ahí estamos siendo negligentes e irresponsables con las niñas y con los niños.'

Social media platforms contribute to a form of 'collective hysteria,' where individuals, particularly youth, may genuinely begin to mimic or believe they have mental disorders (like Tourette's or TDA) after prolonged exposure to related content. This phenomenon resembles historical instances of shared delusions, amplified by algorithms and the quest for online validation.

López describes 'una especie de histeria colectiva en las redes sociales,' comparing it to medieval 'folie à deux' or 'coralias.' He notes, 'alguien de ver el contenido y empezar a seguir el contenido empieza a asumir genuinamente que cree que tiene Touret y que cree que tiene TDA.'