Median: Difference between revisions

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{{Term
{{Term
| image =  
| image = Median2.png
| alt =  
| alt =  
| synonyms = midcontinuum (adj.) singtiple (n.)
| synonyms = midcontinuum (adj.), singtiple (n.)
| usage_noun = yes
| usage_noun = yes
| usage_verb =  
| usage_verb =  
| usage_adverb =  
| usage_adverb =  
| specific_median_systems = yes
| usage_adjective = true
| usage_adjective = true
| usage_system = true
| usage_system = true
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A median [[system]] has members who are not as distinct or separate from each other as in [[Partitionary|partitionary]] systems, and are sometimes dependent on a single individual and unable to exist without that central person. The dependence can be mutual in that there is no central individual. Median systems often consist of members who all identify as "aspects" or "[[facet|facets]]" of one central identity, which may be a single member or may be a sort of average identity of the group. Despite being more fluid and similar, median systems can be just as diverse as [[Partitionary|partitionary]] systems.
[[Category:Common Terms]]


==Related Terms==
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]].<ref name=":0">http://astraeasweb.net/plural/mediantalk.html</ref>
Median systems do not fit into the boxes dissociative disorders have offered — they don't have the amnesia for [[Otherwise_Specified_Dissociative_Disorder#OSDD-1a|OSDD-1a]] or the separateness for [[Otherwise_Specified_Dissociative_Disorder#OSDD-1b|OSDD-1b]], let alone [[DID]] — but they can still be disordered in some way relating to their median-ness. BPD & PTSD (or [[https://pluralpedia.org/w/Complex_PTSD|C-PTSD]]) are common diagnoses for [[traumagenic]] or otherwise disordered medians.


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<ref>https://kinhost.org/Main/Medians</ref>. Others may also be based around a shared identity or [[kin]].


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.
The members of a median system are often described as ''aspects'' or [[facet|''facets'']]. Some median systems may identify as different archetypes.<ref name=":0" /> Despite being more fluid and similar, median systems can be very diverse.  


==History==
Median systems are often opposed to [[multiple]] systems, with multiple systems experiencing more distinction between [[headmate]]s. 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 absence of memory sharing do not necessarily go hand-in-hand.
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 [https://web.archive.org/web/20040603021307/http://www.asarian.org/~vickis/continuum.html 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 [http://www.karitas.net/blackbirds/layman/term.html Blackbirds] on [https://pluralwiki.noblejury.com/books/groups/page/pavilion-halllancers Pavilion Hall]. It has stuck around since.
 
== 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 gray area across the dissociative spectrum, it amassed a large community<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20040603021307/http://www.asarian.org/~vickis/continuum.html</ref>. However, there was some concern with framing dissociation and plurality as a simple straight line (and the assumption that dissociation & plurality were one and the same). In 2002, the term ''median'' was coined to replace it by Blackbirds<ref>http://www.karitas.net/blackbirds/layman/term.html</ref> on Pavilion Hall<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20211127060105/https://pluralwiki.noblejury.com/books/groups/page/pavilion-halllancers</ref>. It has stuck around since.
 
== Related Terms ==
Median is often used as opposed to [[multiple]] or [[partitionary]], where members in a multiple system are distinct. However, [[mixed system]]s exist, in which one system has both median headmates & partitionary headmates.
[[Mediple]] systems have a mix of median and multiple traits & architecture and may identify with both median & multiple labels, or neither of them.
 
Additionally, for some median systems, the term [[facet]] is preferred over [[headmate]] or [[alter]], creating new labels like [[polyfaceted]], for example. Others may use terms like [[medianmate]], especially but not exclusively if they feel more separate or fully-fledged as individuals.
 
Median systems can be diagnosed with [[Otherwise Specified Dissociative Disorder#OSDD-1a|OSDD-1a]] if they also experience amnesia. BPD & PTSD (or [[Complex PTSD|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 [[multiple]] side, a [[diversian]]. A [[webbed]] median system is one without a [[core]], while an [[orbital]] median system has one.
 
A [[headspace]] [[layer]] where all inhabitants are median with one another is called a [[median layer]].
 
[[Internal Family System]] (IFS) Model is a term that shares similarity with median systems, however it can describe subselves in a singlet, along with subselves of system members.
 
== Gallery ==
<gallery mode="packed">
File:Median2.png|Vertical median flag by extranth<ref name=extranth>https://archive.ph/VTNpc</ref>.
File:Median3.png|Horizontal median flag by extranth<ref name="extranth" />.
File:Median4.png|Median flag with plural spiral<ref>https://archive.ph/kCfTF</ref> by extranth.<ref name="extranth" />
File:Median by plurgai.png|Median flag by plurgai<ref>https://plurgai-archive.tumblr.com/post/618673705665675265/median-midcontinuum-green-being-neither</ref>.
File:Median5.png|<nowiki>Median flag by GreysDawn]</nowiki><ref>https://greysdawn.com/flags/median</ref>.
File:Lhz-median.png|Flag by localhazard<ref>https://archive.ph/IWMiq</ref>
</gallery>
 
== References ==

Revision as of 19:37, 26 November 2022

median ( n., adj.)
Synonymsmidcontinuum (adj.), singtiple (n.)
Applies tomedian systems
CoinerBlackbirds

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.[1]

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[2]. Others may also be based around a shared identity or kin.

The members of a median system are often described as aspects or facets. Some median systems may identify as different archetypes.[1] 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 absence 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 gray area across the dissociative spectrum, it amassed a large community[3]. However, there was some concern with framing dissociation and plurality as a simple straight line (and the assumption that dissociation & plurality were one and the same). In 2002, the term median was coined to replace it by Blackbirds[4] on Pavilion Hall[5]. It has stuck around since.

Related Terms

Median is often used as opposed to multiple or partitionary, where members in a multiple system are distinct. However, mixed systems exist, in which one system has both median headmates & partitionary headmates. Mediple systems have a mix of median and multiple traits & architecture and may identify with both median & multiple labels, or neither of them.

Additionally, for some median systems, the term facet is preferred over headmate or alter, creating new labels like polyfaceted, for example. Others may use terms like medianmate, especially but not exclusively if they feel more separate or fully-fledged as individuals.

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

A headspace layer where all inhabitants are median with one another is called a median layer.

Internal Family System (IFS) Model is a term that shares similarity with median systems, however it can describe subselves in a singlet, along with subselves of system members.

Gallery

References