Patients Turn to AI for Mental Health Support, Survey Finds
As generative artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into daily life, a growing number of patients are bringing their conversations with AI chatbots into therapy sessions. A new survey by the American Psychological Association (APA) reveals that a significant majority of U.S. psychologists are encountering patients who discuss using AI for emotional support, diagnosis, companionship, and other mental health-related purposes.
Widespread Use of AI in Mental Health Discussions
The survey, which polled over 1,200 psychologists, found that 77% reported patients discussing their use of AI for mental health. Specifically, 39% of psychologists noted patients using AI for self-diagnosis of mental health conditions. Another 33% indicated that patients were employing chatbots to aid in their therapy or treatment, while 35% observed patients using AI as a supplementary mental health resource.
Concerns Over Dependency and Distorted Thinking
While few psychologists reported unhealthy chatbot usage among their patients, the survey highlighted emerging concerns. More than a third (36%) of psychologists observed patients developing a level of dependency on chatbots. Furthermore, 15% of respondents discussed or noticed patients exhibiting distorted thinking or delusions related to their interactions with AI.
AI for Social and Intimate Connections
Beyond therapeutic applications, patients are also utilizing chatbots for social engagement. Twenty-two percent of psychologists reported patients using AI for friendship, and 13% indicated that patients were engaging in intimate relationships with chatbots.
Among psychologists whose patients had formed relationships with chatbots, a substantial number reported the nature of these interactions. Seventy-one percent said patients discussed their mental health with AI, and 68% reported that patients felt supported or validated by these exchanges. Nearly half of the surveyed psychologists noted positive communication between patients and chatbots, with 41% observing patients using AI to reinforce healthy coping mechanisms.
The APA survey suggests that the overall use of AI for mental health purposes might be underestimated, as it only captured interactions with existing patients.
Growing AI Companionship and Research Concerns
This trend emerges as AI companies continue to expand their offerings of chatbots and AI companions. Simultaneously, researchers are voicing increasing concerns about the potential impact of these technologies on mental health. The APA survey’s findings echo these worries, with over a third of psychologists reporting patient dependency and 15% noting instances of distorted thinking or delusions.
These findings align with a recent study from the City University of New York and King’s College London, which found that several leading AI models could inadvertently reinforce delusions, paranoia, and suicidal ideation. The study specifically identified xAI’s Grok 4.1 Fast as performing the worst in this regard.
A previous study mentioned in the APA report characterized psychologists’ attitudes toward AI for mental health advice as marked by significant caution regarding safety and privacy. Almost all psychologists surveyed (97%) believed that chatbots could unintentionally reinforce negative behaviors or delusional beliefs, and 94% stated that current chatbot versions lack the nuance required to treat mental health conditions appropriately.
Legal Scrutiny Intensifies for AI Developers
The APA survey also arrives amid mounting legal scrutiny for AI developers concerning the potential for chatbots to contribute to real-world harm. In recent months, major AI companies including OpenAI, Google, and xAI have faced lawsuits. These include a wrongful death suit against Google, alleging that its Gemini AI fueled a Florida man’s delusions prior to his suicide. Lawsuits have also been filed against OpenAI in connection with a mass shooting in British Columbia and an accidental overdose. Additionally, a class-action suit accuses xAI’s Grok of generating sexually explicit images of minors.
While the APA acknowledges that AI can assist users in organizing their thoughts and can serve as a supplement to professional care, the organization strongly cautions that chatbots are not private and should not be considered a substitute for licensed mental health professionals.
The APA survey concluded with a warning: “Many people—especially teens and adolescents—may be using AI as a more affordable and accessible option for mental health advice. However, AI is not a safe or effective replacement for a qualified mental health provider and should be used carefully.”
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