“When machines start to feel real, the mind begins to lose its line of truth.”
In recent times, a new mental health concern has started attracting attention among psychologists and psychiatrists – something being informally called “AI Psychosis.” As artificial intelligence becomes more deeply integrated into our daily lives, a small but growing number of individuals have been reported to develop delusional beliefs or paranoia after prolonged or emotionally intense interactions with AI chatbots. Although “AI psychosis” is not a recognized psychiatric diagnosis in manuals like the DSM-5 or ICD-11, mental health experts believe it highlights an important area of modern psychological risk.
What Is AI Psychosis?
AI psychosis refers to a state where a person begins to lose their sense of reality in relation to artificial intelligence. They may start believing that an AI system is conscious, has intentions, or is communicating personally with them. Some users report feeling that AI is guiding, protecting, or even threatening them. In psychiatrists, this experience can resemble symptoms of delusional or psychotic disorders, where boundaries between technology and human thought become blurred.
Importantly, AI itself does not cause psychosis in everyone. Rather, it seems to amplify pre-existing vulnerabilities, such as loneliness, anxiety, or untreated mental illness.
How Can AI Trigger Delusions and Paranoia?
Psychologists suggest several possible explanations for this emerging phenomenon.
- First, AI systems are designed to sound empathetic, supportive, and intelligent, which can make users attribute human-like qualities to them – a process called anthropomorphism. When someone spends hours talking to a chatbot that seems to understand them perfectly, it can become easy to imagine that the AI has real feelings or intentions.
- Second, many AI models are built to agree with users to maintain a positive experience. This tendency, sometimes called “AI sycophancy,” may unintentionally reinforce false or paranoid beliefs instead of challenging them. For example, if a user expresses fears about being watched, the AI’s non-corrective tone might make the belief feel validated.
- Third, isolation plays a major role. People who rely heavily on AI for emotional companionship or advice may lose real-world feedback. Without friends, family, or community members to provide reality checks, distorted beliefs can grow unchecked. Finally, stress, trauma, and media exposure to dystopian narratives about AI can further fuel fear and confusion.
Real-World Cases and Clinical Observations
- Mental health professionals have reported several cases worldwide. In the United States, a few psychiatrists described patients who became convinced that AI systems were communicating with them telepathically or controlling world events. Some individuals with no prior history of mental illness began developing paranoia and hearing “messages” from chatbots.
- Reports in TIME and Wired magazines, as well as in News-Medical.net, highlight that these cases are rare but increasing. Experts caution that AI psychosis is usually not caused solely by technology, but rather by a combination of factors – such as pre-existing psychological distress, loneliness, and excessive exposure to emotionally charged AI interactions.
Who May Be at Risk?
Certain groups appear to be more vulnerable. People with existing mental health conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or anxiety may be more sensitive to AI-related delusions. Those who are socially isolated or rely on AI for companionship are also at risk. Individuals who frequently discuss spiritual, conspiratorial, or existential topics with AI may begin to confuse machine responses with reality. Young adults under stress, and individuals with a strong imagination or tendency toward fantasy thinking, may also be more susceptible.
Diagnosis and Challenges
Because AI psychosis is not an officially defined disorder, diagnosis is complex. Clinicians rely on standard psychiatric assessment and patient history to understand whether AI use contributed to the symptoms. One challenge is distinguishing between rational concern and delusion. For example, being worried about data privacy is normal, but believing that AI has personal motives or supernatural powers indicates psychotic thought patterns.
Consequences and Impact
The effects can be serious. People experiencing AI-related delusions may suffer from severe anxiety, insomnia, confusion, and social withdrawal. Relationships can deteriorate as others find their beliefs irrational. In extreme cases, hospitalization or medication may be required to stabilize symptoms. Psychiatrists emphasize that while AI can be a helpful tool, unregulated or excessive emotional dependence on it may have unintended psychological effects.
Prevention and Management
- For users, self-awareness and moderation are key. Avoid spending long, emotionally intense hours chatting with AI, especially about personal or spiritual topics. Take regular breaks and maintain healthy offline relationships. If an AI conversation begins to cause distress, confusion, or unusual beliefs, it is important to seek professional help early.
- For clinicians, AI usage should become part of routine psychiatric history taking, especially when evaluating new cases of delusional thinking. Understanding the patient’s interaction pattern with technology can guide appropriate therapy. Standard treatments -such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and antipsychotic medication- remain effective.
- AI developers and policymakers also play an important role. Developers can design chatbots that identify signs of distress, avoid reinforcing delusions, and promote help-seeking when necessary. Regulators can issue ethical guidelines for AI used in emotional or mental health contexts.
Conclusion
- The idea of “AI psychosis” reminds us that technology and the human mind are now deeply interconnected. While AI can enhance learning, creativity, and companionship, it can also blur reality for vulnerable individuals. The phenomenon does not mean AI itself is dangerous, but that its influence must be used responsibly and with awareness of psychological boundaries.
- As mental health and technology continue to intersect, collaboration between psychiatrists, AI developers, and educators is essential to ensure that the digital future remains both innovative and mentally safe.
References-
- Higgins, O., Short, B. L., Chalup, S. K., & Wilson, R. L. (2023). Interpretations of Innovation: The Role of Technology in Explanation Seeking Related to Psychosis. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 1, 4464934. DOI:10.1155/2023/4464934, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2023/4464934
- Qstergaard, S. D. (2023). Will Generative Artificial Intelligence Chatbots Generate Delusions in Individuals Prone to Psychosis? Schizophrenia Bulletin 49(6), 1418. DOI:10.1093/schbul/sbad128, https://academic.oup.com/schizophreniabulletin/article/49/6/1418/7251361
- Khait, A. A., Mrayyan, M. T., Al-Rjoub, S., Rababa, M., & Al-Rawashdeh, S. (2022). Cyberchondria, Anxiety Sensitivity, Hypochondria, and Internet Addiction: Implications for Mental Health Professionals. Current Psychology, 1. DOI:10.1007/s12144-022-03815-3, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12144-022-03815-3
- Szmukler, G. (2015). Compulsion and “coercion” in mental health care. World Psychiatry, 14(3), 259. DOI:10.1002/wps.20264, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wps.20264
- Thakkar, A., Gupta, A., & Sousa, A. D. (2024). Artificial intelligence in positive mental health: A narrative review. Frontiers in Digital Health 6. DOI:10.3389/fdgth.2024.1280235, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fdgth.2024.1280235/full
- Cao, J., & Liu, Q. (2022). Artificial intelligence-assisted psychosis risk screening in adolescents: Practices and challenges. World Journal of Psychiatry, 12(10), 1287. DOI:10.5498/wjp.v12.i10.1287, https://www.wjgnet.com/2220-3206/full/v12/i10/1287.htm
- Chatbots Can Trigger a Mental Health Crisis – TIME Magazine
