Median Systems[]
A median system is a system that has members who are more interconnected and less distinct than those of multiple systems. The term was coined by Blackbirds of Pavilion Hall[1]. Members of median systems are frequently referred to as facets. Median systems may be subsystems of a multiple system[2], and there are many types of median subsystems (subsystem types can be found on the subsystem wiki page).
Median systems may see themselves as being interconnected identity-wise or mentally, and may not be able to psychologically separate themselves from each other in the same way multiple systems might. They may see themselves as parts of one person or as people who share many aspects of the same mental identity. Some median systems depend on a core host or person to exist, while others do not and all coexist with the same level of power. (This is in contrast to multiple systems, who usually see themselves as mostly distinct entities who share a brain and body, but not various aspects of the same psychological and mental identity.)
It is important to note that medians are usually considered full people in their own right-that is to say, while they may experience themselves as being more interconnected and less distinct than many multiple systems, they are typically still able to feel a full range of emotional and mental states.
Median systems are in between singlets and multiple systems. They are not considered singlets as they are plural and have more than one mind, even if it’s deeply interconnected or intertwined with others at times.
Median was coined as a replacement for the older term midcontinuum[3], and was not intended by its coiners to be used by individuals with Dissociative Identity Disorder or any other form of medically disordered plurality[4] [5].
Sub-Types of Median Systems[]
All terms coined by Fallen Hearts Galaxy[6].
- Parasian: Medians who are closer to the singlet side of the singlet-median-multiple spectrum.
- Mesosian: Medians who are around the middle of said spectrum.
- Diversian: Medians who are closer to the multiple side of said spectrum.
- Orbital: A term for median systems with a core
- Webbed: A term for median systems without a core.
Midcontinuum Systems[]
Midcontinuum is an older term that describes a similar experience to median systems, which was coined to describe specifically individuals who were on the midpoint of the dissociative continuum between having Dissociative Identity Disorder and not having any such disorder. The definition was plagiarized by Astraea of Astraea's Web to define median[7].
It has similarities to Other Specified Dissociative Disorder (many individuals who self-identified as midcontinuum received an OSDD diagnosis)[8], but is a community term and not a medical term. It was coined by Vickis, who did not believe that it was possible to experience having multiple consciousnesses without trauma, according to Pavillion [9][4]. On Vicki's page regarding midcontinuum, however, they stated:
So basically, we begin to wonder whether "plurality" and "dissociation" are actually two different things. And we take as our starting point that plurality is not the problem. However, many dissociative behaviors or manifestations are problems, for the people and households that experience them. The solution is to work on the specific behaviors or manifestations... not to paint dissociation as "bad" [10].
It is a less popular term than median due to the term being thought of as excluding non-trauma plurals. It is not entirely clear whether the term did or did not exclude such plurals, but it was originally coined in relation to the dissociative continuum, a medical concept. Vickis, however, were not a system exclusionist when they wrote about the midcontinuum, as they believed that plurality was not inherently medical and a problem.
- ↑ Median on pluralwiki.noblejury.com
- ↑ Median and Median Subsystem Terms by plurgai on Tumblr
- ↑ A brief history of midcontinuum by Anthony Temple
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Mid-Continuum vs Median by pluraldeepdive
- ↑ Addressing the MPD/DID Issue by Pavillion/Lancers
- ↑ New Terms! Mega Post by Fallen Hearts Galaxy on Tumblr
- ↑ Midcontinuum by LB Lee on pluralwiki.noblejury.com
- ↑ Amongst Ourselves
- ↑ Does it work? by Vickis
- ↑ The Wonderful World of the Midcontinuum by Vickis