Can ChatGPT Help With Your Mental Health?

Here's My Take...

"Is it weird that I asked ChatGPT for advice?” I hear this almost weekly in my sessions. And my answer is always the same: "Of course you did...and most times, that's totally okay."

When your brain won't shut off at 3AM, and you're too overwhelmed to even text someone back, turning to AI feels easier than talking to a real human. I get it. But remember...AI can only see part of the picture.

The 3AM Spiral

Let's say someone asks ChatGPT how to stop overthinking in the middle of the night. It gives them a few breathing tips - which help for about a minute. But then they spiral for two more hours reading about trauma bonding and attachment style.

What did AI miss? They'd just had a blowout with their partner, skipped dinner, and their period was starting. The "overthinking" wasn't just in their head; it was in their body and relationships, too.

What they needed wasn't just coping tools. They needed support with emotional regulation, self-awareness around their cycle, and strategies to feel safe and grounded again.

Mental Health Is More Than Just Symptoms

As a psychiatrist, I look at three interconnected layers:

• Your body (nervous system, hormones, sleep, nutrition)

• Your mind (thoughts, patterns, emotions)

• Your world (relationships, environment, stress load)

AI doesn't know that your concussion two years ago still affects how you process emotion. It doesn't notice the shakiness in your voice. It can't track patterns from your past sessions or catch the subtle shifts that matter.

I'm Not Anti-AI. I'm Pro-Using It Wisely

Tech can be helpful - when we use it with intention. But before asking AI for advice, try asking yourself simple check-in questions about your physical health, mind, and surroundings like:

• When was the last time I ate something real?

• Am I tired, dysregulated, or just lonely?

• What emotion might be hiding underneath this question?

• Who in my life could hold space for me right now?

Often, the pause gives you more insight than the answer itself. You're not just a list of symptoms to be fixed. You're a whole person with a story, a nervous system, a context, and a capacity for healing.

What's been your experience with AI and mental health? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Want more in-depth insights on using AI thoughtfully? Check out episode 24 of The Mental Path Podcast for the full conversation.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.