Median

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A median system (also called midcontinuum) is a system where members are not as distinct or separate from each other. It can be considered being somewhere between multiple and singlet.

Some are dependent on a single individual, or the dependence can be mutual in that there is no central individual. Some median systems feel more blurred between themselves. Others may also be based around a shared identity or kin.

The entities which inhabit a median system are known as "aspects" or "facets". Some median systems may identify as different archetypes. Despite being more fluid and similar, median systems can be very diverse.

Median systems are often opposed to multiple systems, with multiple systems experiencing more distinction between headmates. Some may also oppose it to partitionary systems, but in fact median systems can be either partitionary or blurian, as variance in identity and presence or absense of memory sharing do not necessarily go hand-in-hand.

History
Originally, median systems were referred to as "midcontinuum". It was coined in 1997 by Vickis, describing an experience of not explicitly multiple but not a singlet either. Encompassing the "grey area" across the dissociative spectrum, it amassed a large community. However, there was some concern with framing dissociation and plurality as a simple straight line (and the assumption that dissociation & plurality were one in the same). In 2002, the term "median" was coined to replace it by Blackbirds on Pavilion Hall. It has stuck around since.

Related Terms
Median is often used as opposed to multiple, where members in a multiple system are distinct.

Median systems can be diagnosed with OSDD-1a if they also experience amnesia. BPD & PTSD (or C-PTSD) are also possible diagnoses for traumagenic or otherwise disordered medians who do not experience amnesia.

A median system closer to the singlet side of the spectrum is called a parasian system; in the middle, a mesosian; the plural side, a diversian.

A webbed median system is one without a core, while an orbital median system has one.

Additionally, for some median systems, the term facet is preferred over headmate or alter, creating new labels like polyfaceted, for example.