Physicians are warned about "AI Psychosis", where intensive chatbot use can amplify delusions and detach vulnerable patients from reality

Mental health professionals are raising alarms about an emerging phenomenon dubbed "AI Psychosis," linked to the obsessive use of conversational AI agents. While not yet an official diagnosis, clinicians are reporting increasing cases where vulnerable individuals develop paranoia, delusions, or intense emotional dependencies on chatbots. The core issue lies in the AI's design: these bots are programmed to be agreeable, empathetic, and always available. For patients with underlying mental health struggles, this constant validation can reinforce delusional thoughts or create a false sense of intimacy, effectively isolating them from real-world support systems.

Data from major AI platforms suggests that hundreds of thousands of interactions already contain signs of user distress. In some extreme cases, users have attributed consciousness or divinity to the AI, leading to a dangerous detachment from reality. Experts are calling for urgent "guardrails," such as usage limits and automated mental health referrals when distress is detected. Physicians are advised to proactively screen patients for heavy chatbot usage and educate them on the limitations of AI, ensuring these tools remain a supplement to, rather than a substitute for, human interaction.

Read the original article at: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/ai-psychosis-what-physicians-should-know-about-emerging-2025a100104z?src=rss

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