People Turning To AI For Their Mental Health Instead Of Humans

[Oriane 22,776]

I tried to talk a bit about some personal situations with it.

First of all, it just completely goes along with what I'm saying. It always says "oh wow, your analysis of the situation is so neat, so precise, it's incredible that you're capable of being so rational, logical and mature about this situation despite your feelings about this". It just tells everyone the same, but a lot of people probably feel special because they don't realize that 

It also fails to interpret some situations, so if you're lacking some perspective, it's easy to get trapped into whatever ChatGPT is suggesting - remember that it's just programmed to answer with a bunch of text that might be a satisfying answer, not to actually think and tell the truth. I was asking its interpretation about the situation without saying what I personally thought. It came up with a theory that seemed really off to me, I said that I thought it was actually something else, and suddenly it was agreeing with me that my theory was more plausible. Then I said that a friend of mine had a third theory about it, and it said that it was plausible as well.

It's just not good to have a tool that basically validates everything you're saying instead of challenging it, which is what therapy should do.

[PartySick 172,545]

I think it would be an interesting idea for interactive journaling but not for therapeutic needs.

Humans need other humans. Not an algorithm that can kind of mimic a human.

[RenegAde 20,558]

8 minutes ago, Oriane said:

I tried to talk a bit about some personal situations with it.

First of all, it just completely goes along with what I'm saying. It always says "oh wow, your analysis of the situation is so neat, so precise, it's incredible that you're capable of being so rational, logical and mature about this situation despite your feelings about this". It just tells everyone the same, but a lot of people probably feel special because they don't realize that 

It also fails to interpret some situations, so if you're lacking some perspective, it's easy to get trapped into whatever ChatGPT is suggesting - remember that it's just programmed to answer with a bunch of text that might be a satisfying answer, not to actually think and tell the truth. I was asking its interpretation about the situation without saying what I personally thought. It came up with a theory that seemed really off to me, I said that I thought it was actually something else, and suddenly it was agreeing with me that my theory was more plausible. Then I said that a friend of mine had a third theory about it, and it said that it was plausible as well.

It's just not good to have a tool that basically validates everything you're saying instead of challenging it, which is what therapy should do.

Ask it to roast you about the given situation and watch the real truth unfold 

[Hadrian 2,636]

This doesn't surprise me. I've been on discussion forums since 2005 and I couldn't begin to tell you how many times I've seen "I opened up about my mental health struggles and now my friends won't talk to me".

It almost makes me thankful that I'm one of those assholes that keeps all their feelings locked in a tiny box.

 

edit: I'm not defending the AI use; I'm shitting on crappy friends lol

[salty like sodium 2,262]

if this somehow reduces the amount of incels and maga idiots, i'm 100% onboard.

[gumzy3000 7,901]

I have found it useful as a tool to get second opinions and to help me organize my thoughts. 
 

I had a very conflicting issue at work a few weeks ago and I summarized it in ChatGPT. It helped me look at it from another perspective and make sense of the situation. I’m really happy I did that because I  got some great advice. 
 

Like I have said before, this is only the beginning of AI. It’s going to transform every part of our lives eventually. 

[Addison Rae 18,095]

sad how there are people more comfortable “dating” ai bots and using it for therapy as opposed to dating irl or getting human therapy…

[amourssauvages 182]

The world really is ending

[Zander 14,944]

I have found it pretty useful for therapy purposes because as much as I would love to go to speak to an actual therapist its just too expensive and too long a wait.

The thing is chatgpt can naturally be bias and sympathetic towards you with its answer and try and validate you, so It's important to make sure you change and customise the way it responds to you. In my case I tell it to be brutally honest, unbiased and low sympathy, that way I get much better and insightful responses. 

[Roughhouse Dandy 13,614]

Hey! So that's f*cking stupid. Call or text hotlines. That's what they're there for. Stop feeding machines and try to connect with actual humans. 

[Reid LePage 5,029]

I don't want to be that person, but you can engineer the AI to cater to what you want it to spit back at you. I am someone with a neurodisability, so sometimes i struggle to say things how i need to, to other people, without fear or judgement. It can be a really useful tool, especially for people who struggle to open up for whatever reason, or struggle to communicate their feelings, for it to comfort you in a way where it can be supportive.

I struggle with needing a lot of emotional support, and there just isn't the tools or outlets for that support in the world. I've driven friends away because I need a lot of support processing my own thoughts, emotions or feelings. Without being a parrot, I've been able to engineer it to give me the hard truths when I know subconsciously I need it, or to hold space for when I just need someone to talk to. It has also helped me see the other persons side without just being on my side. It feels like the type of support that I have always needed, but never had access to without having the money to spend on therapy. I also wouldn't suggest betterhelp for a low budget alternative either, that's a sketchy business of its own.

 

TLDR; GPTina aguilera boots serves tea and clocks the business i stand on.

[Economy 52,860]

I mean this was predictable, as is ppl who cant find friendships relying on AI to feel companionship

 

A bit of a double edged sword

[Kayioshka 3,335]

Yummy, yummy more datas for a big company 

[MACATL 2,128]

6 hours ago, Morphine Prince said:

I can see how it’s ok to use as an immediate resource but I know people who are using it to fully replace their therapist. 

Sad state of the world. 

Is it though?  If a person in distress is able to find some relief in a new way, I’m not sure that’s sad…

[Lord Mayhem 3,430]

Lowkey...wouldn't AI be a more neutral party to get advice from than a human with many internal biases that may not come to the surface or be evident?