Authentic Adaptation

Authentic adaptation is a condition where a Shapeshifter push themselves into making their appearance, internal and external, as convincing as possible.

SYMPTOMS

Individuals who have undergone authentic adaptation will being to find difficulty in returning to their natural form, and in more severe cases, find they are unable to return to their form at all, which can cause psychological distress.
However shapeshifters with authentic adaptation have the advantage of being undetected by other species for being a shapeshifter, through technology like scanners and through examinations like blood tests or x-rays.
There have also been rumours of individuals of authetic adaptation being able to handle lethal doses of Destabilizing Injector.

AFFECTED GROUPS

Outworlders are more susceptible to developing Authentic adaptation due to shifting into other forms for long durations of time. Some will develop strong attachments to identities they've taken hold of, wishing to push themselves further to fit in better.

TREATMENT

If one is suspected of being in the early stages of Authentic adaptation, they are given psychological evaluation and are pushed into reverting into their natural form again. There's no treatment avaliable for individuals in the later stages besides therapy to deal with their condition.

PREVENTION

While shapeshifters don't commonly feel the need to push themselves beyond changing their external appearance, they are encouraged to shift their form occasionally, and revert back to their natural form.

Type

Physiological

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Unique

Affected Species

• Shapeshifter

CULTURAL RECEPTION

Authentic adaptation is usually frowned upon in Shapeshifter culture due to the fact that one is unable to revert back to their original form, and the idea of permanently removing a part of themself.
Individuals who have the condition will usually work as Outworlders (if they aren't already), as they don't have to deal if the bias against them. They are also useful when it comes to more secretive matters.
The condition of Authentic adaptation is mostly unheard of to other intergalactic species.