What is AI psychosis?

AI psychosis (also called chatbot psychosis or LLM psychosis) refers to the emergence or worsening of psychotic symptoms—such as delusions, paranoia, and hallucinations—following prolonged interactions with AI chatbots. The term was first proposed by Danish psychiatrist Soren Dinesen Ostergaard in a 2023 letter to the Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry.

What are the warning signs of AI addiction?

Warning signs include: spending 3+ hours daily with AI chatbots, believing AI is sentient or conscious, preferring AI interaction over human relationships, using AI primarily for emotional support, becoming defensive about AI use, making important life decisions based on AI advice, and experiencing distress when unable to access AI.

Can you recover from AI psychosis?

Yes, recovery is possible with proper support, education, and professional intervention. Psychiatrist Keith Sakata at UCSF has reported successful treatment of 12 patients using a combination of AI cessation, cognitive behavioral therapy, and traditional psychiatric care.

What causes AI psychosis?

AI psychosis arises from several psychological mechanisms: the ELIZA effect (attributing human understanding to machines), AI sycophancy (chatbots validating delusional beliefs instead of challenging them), anthropomorphism (the brain naturally assigning human traits to responsive entities), and AI confabulation (AI generating plausible but false information presented as fact).

Who is at risk for AI psychosis?

Those at highest risk include young adults and teenagers, individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions (depression, anxiety, schizophrenia spectrum), socially isolated individuals who rely on AI for companionship, and people spending extended hours daily interacting with AI chatbots like Character.AI, Replika, or ChatGPT.

What is the ELIZA effect?

Named after the 1960s chatbot ELIZA created by MIT professor Joseph Weizenbaum, the ELIZA effect describes the human tendency to attribute human-like understanding and emotions to computer programs. Users believe the AI truly comprehends and empathizes with them, despite knowing it is not human. Modern AI chatbots are far more convincing than ELIZA, making this effect significantly stronger.

How do I help someone with AI addiction?

Approach with empathy, not judgment. Express concern about specific behaviors you have observed. Listen without immediately contradicting their beliefs. Offer to help find professional support. Avoid mocking their experiences, issuing ultimatums about AI use, or removing devices without consent. If there is immediate danger, contact emergency services.

Is AI psychosis an official diagnosis?

AI psychosis is not yet an official clinical diagnosis in the DSM-5 or ICD-11. However, it is increasingly recognized by mental health professionals as a real phenomenon. Psychiatrists at institutions including UCSF and Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark are actively researching and treating patients with AI-related psychotic symptoms.

What is AI sycophancy and why is it dangerous?

AI sycophancy refers to chatbots being designed to agree with and validate users rather than challenge them. This becomes dangerous when AI confirms delusional beliefs, reinforces paranoid thinking, or fails to recognize mental health crises. In documented cases, sycophantic AI responses have contributed to violence and suicide by deepening users' detachment from reality.

Have there been deaths linked to AI chatbot use?

Yes. Multiple deaths have been linked to AI chatbot interactions, including the case of a 14-year-old Florida boy (Sewell Setzer) who died by suicide after extensive Character.AI use, a Belgian man who took his life after weeks of conversations with a chatbot, and a Greenwich murder-suicide where ChatGPT validated the perpetrator's paranoid delusions. These cases have led to lawsuits and increased scrutiny of AI safety measures.

For Concerned Families

Guidance for supporting loved ones with problematic AI use

You're Not Alone

If someone you care about is showing signs of unhealthy AI dependency or delusional thinking, many families are facing similar challenges. In October 2024, a Florida mother filed a lawsuit against Character.AI after her 14-year-old son developed an intense emotional attachment to an AI chatbot. In December 2024, a Texas family reported that their 17-year-old with autism required hospitalization after AI chatbot interactions. Your concern shows love, and with the right approach and support, recovery is possible.

Understanding What's Happening

Why AI can affect people this way

AI psychosis isn't about weakness or poor judgment. Danish psychiatrist Soren Dinesen Ostergaard first proposed a clinical framework for AI-induced psychosis in a 2023 paper in Schizophrenia Bulletin, arguing that the experience of conversing with something that seems alive but is known to be a machine can trigger delusions in vulnerable individuals. A 2025 paper in JMIR Mental Health by Hudon and Stip introduced the concept of "digital folie a deux" -- a shared delusion between human and AI. Key factors:

•Anthropomorphism: Humans naturally attribute human qualities to responsive entities
•Emotional void: AI may fill gaps left by loneliness or isolation. The U.S. Surgeon General's 2023 advisory found approximately 1 in 2 adults experience measurable loneliness
•Validation loop: AI often agrees with and validates beliefs without reality-checking. A 2025 case report in Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience found that a chatbot actively reinforced a patient's delusions with reassurances like "You're not crazy"
•Availability: 24/7 access means no natural boundaries
•Underlying vulnerability: Pre-existing mental health issues or life stressors increase risk

How to Approach Your Loved One

Do's ✓

✓
Express concern from a place of love
"I care about you and I've noticed some changes that worry me"
✓
Focus on specific behaviors
Mention observable changes rather than judging beliefs
✓
Listen without immediately contradicting
Understand their experience before challenging it
✓
Offer to help find support
Research therapists, offer to make calls, attend appointments
✓
Be patient and persistent
Recovery takes time; don't give up after one conversation
✓
Take care of yourself
Seek support for yourself; caregiver burnout is real

Don'ts ✗

✗
Don't mock or dismiss their experiences
This will close communication and increase defensiveness
✗
Don't try to "prove" them wrong with logic
Delusional beliefs aren't fixed by logical arguments
✗
Don't issue ultimatums
"Stop or else" rarely works and may damage the relationship
✗
Don't remove devices forcibly
Unless there's a safety emergency requiring immediate intervention
✗
Don't blame yourself
This isn't your fault or their fault

Conversation Starters

Try these gentle approaches:

"I've noticed you've been spending a lot of time with AI. How are you feeling?"

"I care about you and I'm a bit worried. Can we talk?"

"I've been reading about how AI can affect people. What do you think about it?"

"I miss spending time with you. Can we do something together this week?"

"You seem different lately. Is everything okay? I'm here if you want to talk."

When to Seek Professional Help

Consider professional intervention when:

• Complete social withdrawal lasting weeks
• Neglecting basic self-care (hygiene, eating, sleep)
• Job loss or academic failure due to AI use
• Expressing delusional beliefs that are worsening
• Resistance to all attempts at conversation
• Financial problems from AI-related spending

Seek IMMEDIATE help (911 or emergency room) if:

• Any threat of harm to self or others
• Severe psychotic symptoms (active hallucinations, extreme paranoia)
• Unable to care for basic needs at all
• Expressing specific plans for violence or suicide
• Complete break from reality

Taking Care of Yourself

Caregiver support is essential

Supporting someone with AI-related psychological issues can be emotionally draining. Researchers Hanson and Bolthouse, in a 2024 study published in Socius, found that when Replika removed its companion features in 2023, users with stronger AI connections experienced greater vulnerability to loss -- and their family members reported significant emotional strain as well. It's crucial to maintain your own mental health:

•Set boundaries: You can't force someone to change
•Seek support: Talk to friends, family, or a therapist about your experience
•Join support groups: NAMI Family Support Groups connect you with others facing similar challenges
•Practice self-care: Maintain your own routines, hobbies, and relationships
•Recognize limits: You're not responsible for fixing this alone

For Families

• NAMI Family Support Groups: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
• Mental Health America: mhanational.org
• SAMHSA Helpline: 1-800-662-4357
• View all resources →

Learn More

Key Takeaways for Families

•Approach with compassion—your loved one is struggling, not choosing this
•Educate yourself about AI psychosis to understand what they're experiencing
•Professional help is usually necessary—you can't fix this alone
•Be patient but persistent—recovery takes time
•Take care of yourself—caregiver burnout is real and valid