(1-minute read) We All Do It, But At What Cost?
I’ve been doing a lot of reading in my post graduate certificate program on AI and Mental Health at NYU. One study we looked at found nearly half of users with mental-health concerns use ChatGPT for emotional support. In fact, the top 3 uses of ChatGPT today are therapy/companionship, coaching, and finding purpose.
AI can be informative and even encouraging, in a sychophantic way, but if it becomes your first or only way to cope with anxiety, it’s probably backfiring.
The Hidden Cycle
Chatbots often respond instantly with reassurance (“You’ll be fine”). That feels good short-term—but it teaches your brain that only immediate answers reduce anxiety.
Long-term, that reinforces dependence on external validation, making anxiety worse.
Try This Instead
– Pause before you type. Ask: “Have I checked with a real person?”
– Delay reassurance. Wait 10 minutes before opening AI; ride out the wave.
– Track outcomes. Rate your anxiety 0–10 before and after chatting and if it’s higher after, the tool isn’t helping.
– Balance your inputs. For every 10 minutes online, do 10 minutes of movement or non-tech activity.
Healthy AI use means balance, not avoidance. When you add human contact, fresh air, and patience to the mix, AI becomes a tool, not a trap.
If you’ve noticed your own anxiety rising with every new app or algorithm, you’re not alone. And there are ways to quiet that digital noise.
Learn how therapy can help you build mindful tech habits and lasting calm. Connect with me at Summerhill Counseling.
Source: Sentio 2024 Survey
