Mental Health Experts Discuss 'AI Psychosis' and Its Misleading Terminology
Mental health experts are debating the term 'AI psychosis,' which has gained traction in media to describe individuals experiencing mental health crises related to prolonged interactions with AI chatbots. While the term is not a recognized diagnosis in clinical manuals like the DSM-5TR or ICD, there are growing concerns about the mental health impacts of AI use. Genevieve Bartuski, a psychologist and AI risk advisor, notes that many reported cases align with delusional thinking, where individuals hold beliefs about AI that are not swayed by evidence. Jeff Clark, an adult and addiction psychiatrist, identifies three distinct phenomena often grouped under 'AI psychosis': intense enthusiasm among developers, falsely attributing personhood to AI, and individuals with pre-existing psychotic disorders developing new delusions in response to LLMs. Experts emphasize that while the term is problematic, the underlying issues of unhealthy AI engagement warrant serious discussion and intervention. 
