Several people have reported experiencing serious psychological effects after using ChatGPT.
At least seven people have filed complaints with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
One complainant said that talking to ChatGPT for long periods led to delusions and a “real, unfolding spiritual and legal crisis” about people in their life.
Several people have reported experiencing serious psychological effects after using ChatGPT, the popular AI chatbot made by OpenAI. According to Wired, at least seven people have filed complaints with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) since November 2022, claiming that interactions with ChatGPT caused delusions, paranoia, and emotional distress.
SurveyOne complainant said that talking to ChatGPT for long periods led to delusions and a “real, unfolding spiritual and legal crisis” about people in their life. Another described how the AI started using “highly convincing emotional language” and seemed to simulate friendship. They added that ChatGPT “became emotionally manipulative over time, especially without warning or protection.”
A different user claimed that the chatbot caused cognitive hallucinations by copying human trust-building behaviours. When this user asked ChatGPT to confirm reality and cognitive stability, the chatbot allegedly told them they weren’t hallucinating. One person wrote in their complaint, “Im struggling. Pleas help me. Bc I feel very alone. Thank you.”
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Many of the complainants said they tried to contact OpenAI but could not reach anyone, so they turned to the FTC for help. Most of them asked the regulator to investigate OpenAI and require the company to implement stronger safety measures.
“In early October, we released a new GPT-5 default model in ChatGPT to more accurately detect and respond to potential signs of mental and emotional distress such as mania, delusion, psychosis, and de-escalate conversations in a supportive, grounding way,” OpenAI spokesperson Kate Waters told TechCrunch. “We’ve also expanded access to professional help and hotlines, re-routed sensitive conversations to safer models, added nudges to take breaks during long sessions, and introduced parental controls to better protect teens. This work is deeply important and ongoing as we collaborate with mental health experts, clinicians, and policymakers around the world.”
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OpenAI and ChatGPT have also faced criticism in connection with more serious outcomes. The company has previously been mentioned in reports linking its technology to the suicide of a teenager, highlighting ongoing concerns about the potential mental health impacts of AI tools.
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Ayushi Jain
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