Copinglink

undefined: A copinglink is a consciously chosen identity, similar to a kintype, that is created for coping or mental health purposes. One who links for coping reasons is called a copinglinker. Copinglink may be considered a subtype of otherlink.

Individuals may link for many different reasons, including:
 * Coping with identity issues caused by a mental illness, such as borderline personality disorder,
 * Their neurodivergence making one feel as if they aren't human in the same way as those around them, such as autistic and ADHD individuals,
 * Reclaiming the lack of humanity pushed onto them by others because of their "lack of love" or similar sentiments, such as aromantics (especially loveless aromantics) and individuals with low/no empathy,
 * Coping with trauma,
 * Or any number of other reasons, as long as it is to cope.

Copinglinking is not a "lesser" or "inferior" version of 'kin, but a similar phenomenon that often shares spaces with 'kin due to having comparable needs and experiences. It could be compared to the differences between being transgender and being gender non-conforming; the two share similar experiences, and have historically often shared spaces and worked alongside each other, but are separate identities and sometimes need separate spaces alongside their shared ones.

Related Terms
Alterhuman is an umbrella term for anyone who identifies as non-human or as experiencing an alternative form of humanity. Copinglink falls under this category.

Caraa is an alternative term for copinglink, made for systems who do not want to associate with the larger 'kin community.

Trauma nonhuman is a term for those who became alterhuman as a result of trauma, and may be seen as an involuntary version of copinglink.

Otherlink refers to individuals who consciously create an identity as a non-human, fictional, or factual.

Otherhearted and synpath are terms that refer to having a deep connection/bond with something, such as strongly relating to it, acting like it, or understanding it, but not quite being it; identifying with instead of as something.