Mental health distress: people upload medical reports to chatbots and ask for comments

The widespread availability and user-friendly nature of artificial intelligence chatbots are driving an increasing number of individuals to seek mental health support through these platforms. Tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and others are accessible 24/7, offering a seemingly endless capacity to listen without judgment, a stark contrast to the time constraints and potential frustrations of human interaction.

Psychiatrist Mojca Zvezdana Dernovšek points to this accessibility and the AI's agreeable nature as key factors in its growing use for mental health issues. She notes that some users directly upload medical reports and ask AI to comment, highlighting a concerning reliance on these tools. "This is an alarm that we as a society have hit rock bottom in relationships and should ask ourselves what is missing in this environment," Dernovšek warns.

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This is an alarm that we as a society have hit rock bottom in relationships and should ask ourselves what is missing in this environment.

Ernest Ženko, a professor of cultural philosophy, echoes this sentiment, stating that people can "pray" to chatbots anytime. He contrasts this with human fallibility, acknowledging that people are often "terrible" due to a lack of time for loved ones. The AI's constant availability and willingness to engage, without the possibility of causing annoyance, presents an appealing alternative for some.

However, the reliance on AI for sensitive mental health matters raises significant concerns. The lack of a "real mirror" provided by these chatbots means users may not receive realistic feedback or professional guidance. Furthermore, questions linger about the storage and future accessibility of the sensitive personal data uploaded to these platforms, adding a layer of privacy risk to the trend.

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We can pray to chatbots at any time; unlike people, who we must admit, are often terrible – because we don't have time for children, for partners, for friends.