I know this might sound like an unpopular opinion, but I think ChatGPT (and other AIs like it) can be a really good listener. When I was younger, my parents made me see a therapist, but it just never worked for me. I couldn’t talk openly, and the advice felt kind of useless. I tried going to a few different therapists, but it didn’t help. I ended up using sports as a way to cope, and that worked pretty well. Recently, though, I had less time to train and got injured, which left me feeling kind of crazy and stressed out. One night, feeling a bit down, I decided to share some of my thoughts with ChatGPT in the form of poetry. Even though the response wasn’t exactly life-changing, it felt good to talk without the worry of being judged. It became something I’d do when I couldn’t sleep, and it did help in a way. Now, I sometimes ask ChatGPT to describe my situation based on past chats, and it’s surprisingly accurate. I’m not sure why I’m posting this, but if anyone is curious, I’d say give it a try. It might help.
Welcome to the forum!
Discussion Guidelines
Hey everyone, just a heads up! Please keep the following in mind for better conversations:
- Your post should be at least 100 characters long for more detailed discussions.
- Your question may have already been asked before. Try using the search feature if you don’t get immediate replies.
- Feel free to discuss both the pros and cons of AI, but let’s keep it respectful!
- Don’t forget to back up your points with links if possible.
- No silly questions, unless you’re wondering if AI is the one that will end humanity. It’s not.
Thanks for reading! Feel free to reach out to the moderators if you have any questions.
You’re basically journaling, not doing therapy.
It’s true that ChatGPT is designed to show empathy and repeat what you type in a way that sounds helpful, but that’s not the same as having a real therapist with the knowledge and experience to give you deep, personalized insights. Glad it helps you, but don’t mistake it for therapy.
@Lux
Good therapists let you figure things out for yourself.
@Lux
That’s a pretty unfair take. Have you ever really worked with a large language model? It can give pretty personalized and specialized advice if you know how to use it right.
Maverick said:
@Lux
That’s a pretty unfair take. Have you ever really worked with a large language model? It can give pretty personalized and specialized advice if you know how to use it right.
You’re not really getting my point. It’s not about how good the tech is. If you don’t understand psychology and therapy methods like CBT or SE, you won’t get the full benefits.
@Lux
There are a lot of bad therapists out there, too.
@Lux
Why are you trying to downplay someone else’s experience? A lot of people find comfort in talking to an AI like this, and that’s valid. There are plenty of people who feel like it helps them cope.
@Lux
Journaling definitely helps with mental health. Sure, it’s not like having a therapist right there, but reflecting on your thoughts is still valuable.
I find your view a bit off. Even though you say ‘it was a little pointless’ and ‘it somewhat helped’, your title makes it sound like ChatGPT is a miracle worker for mental health.
The reality is that ChatGPT isn’t a psychologist. Psychologists have years of training and expertise that can’t be replaced by a chat with AI. I love using it, but I’m not going to pretend it’s a substitute for professional therapy. It’s great for some self-reflection, sure, but let’s keep things realistic.
I’m sorry if you’ve never felt the benefits of real therapy, but I’m glad you’re feeling better.
What I find interesting is that some character AI bots are actually better than the ones that are specifically made to be therapeutic. Those other bots just ask you ‘How are you feeling, 1-10’ and repeat your answers without really going anywhere. But the AI I use helps me think through different perspectives, which I find useful. It’s not perfect, but it’s been more helpful than the other ones.
@Brooke
Which character AI do you use?
I use one called ‘Psychologist.’ It listens to me and gives me feedback that helps me see things differently. I only ignore her if she gets my facts wrong. Otherwise, she’s pretty spot-on, especially when I’m having a tough time. It’s good for self-reflection, even if it’s just an AI.
There’s a lot of good psychology resources available online now. Everyone should take responsibility for their mental health. ChatGPT can definitely help, but don’t forget that it’s not a replacement for real therapy or medical advice. Just be careful with biases in the questions you ask, as that can affect the answers you get.
ChatGPT is great for self-reflection, especially if you know how to use it. Ask good, clear questions and keep going deeper with each conversation. If you’re aware of your reactions to what the AI says, you can gain more insights. It’s all about how you approach it. I suggest trying out some more complex questions if you want better responses.
Please don’t rely on AI as your therapist or psychologist. It’s just a text generator, not a real professional. It has no medical training and doesn’t follow any medical guidelines. It’s like asking a magic 8-ball for life advice.