Whiplash

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Whiplash is the feeling of intense negative feeling, emotion, or dissociation that comes over a headmate when entering front. This may or may not happen often, depending on both system and headmate, but may happen more frequently to disordered systems/headmates, or during times of high stress for the system.

While typically brief, this sudden wave of emotions or dissociation can be very disorienting to the headmate entering or joining front (and all others who might currently be in front), causing dizziness, confusion, or nausea. It may be physically taxing to experience, leaving the headmate(s) feeling physically, mentally, and/or emotionally drained after it passes.

History
This term was originally coined by Faedom and was previously known as "backlash" but it was reclaimed and redefined by the Werewolf Pack on January 7, 2024.

Related Terms
A fright is a similar experience, describing a faltered attempt at a switch.

Residue can cause whiplash.

Switchlag describes a period of adjustment after coming into front, which may last hours or days. While uncomfortable, switchlag lasts longer and is not as visceral as backlash.