Adopting a Fursona Not the Same as MPD

Dearest Papabear,

As I am discovering my fursona more and more, I have been thinking.... Since my fursona is my alternate personalty does that mean I have multiple personality disorder? 

-Rissa

* * *

Dear Rissa,

Short answer is no, you do not have multiple personality disorder. MPD, also called Dissociative Identity Disorder, involves uncontrolled shifts in two or more personalities and is typically accompanied by unexplained periods of memory loss.

This is quite different from what you or I do when we adopt our fursona personalities for a little furry fun. The fursona is something you wear, like a fursuit. You can put it on or take it off at will. MPD, on the other hand, is not controlled by you. The mental illness controls you not vice versa.

When you get into your fursona’s personality, it’s a lot like being an actor or actress. It is assuming a role for play. Doing so, you can enhance or deemphasize parts of your own personality, and you can liberate yourself from inhibitions that might prevent you from acting the way you would like to is social situations.

So don’t worry, Rissa, you’re fine!

Hugs,

Papabear