Feb 23, 2026 10:37 PM
(This post was last modified: Feb 23, 2026 10:42 PM by C C.)
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1117458
INTRO: People with mental illness who use AI chatbots risk experiencing a worsening of their condition. This is shown by a new study published in the international journal Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica.
The researchers screened electronic health records from nearly 54,000 patients with mental illness and found several cases in which the use of AI chatbots appears to have had negative consequences – primarily in the form of worsened delusions, but also potential worsening of mania, suicidal ideation, and eating disorder.
"It supports our hypothesis that the use of AI chatbots can have significant negative consequences for people with mental illness," says Professor Søren Dinesen Østergaard from Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital, who leads the research group behind the study.
Chatbots confirm delusions. In their study, the researchers found examples of delusions that were likely worsened due to patients' interactions with AI chatbots. According to Søren Dinesen Østergaard, there is a logical explanation for this.
"AI chatbots have an inherent tendency to validate the user’s beliefs. It is obvious that this is highly problematic if a user already has a delusion or is in the process of developing one. Indeed, it appears to contribute significantly to the consolidation of, for example, grandiose delusions or paranoia," he says.
Risky for people with severe mental illness. According to Søren Dinesen Østergaard, the study should prompt increased awareness among healthcare professionals working with mental illness. He believes they should discuss AI chatbot use with their patients.
"Despite our knowledge in this area still being limited, I would argue that we now know enough to say that use of AI chatbots is risky if you have a severe mental illness – such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. I would urge caution here," he says... (MORE - details, no ads)
INTRO: People with mental illness who use AI chatbots risk experiencing a worsening of their condition. This is shown by a new study published in the international journal Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica.
The researchers screened electronic health records from nearly 54,000 patients with mental illness and found several cases in which the use of AI chatbots appears to have had negative consequences – primarily in the form of worsened delusions, but also potential worsening of mania, suicidal ideation, and eating disorder.
"It supports our hypothesis that the use of AI chatbots can have significant negative consequences for people with mental illness," says Professor Søren Dinesen Østergaard from Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital, who leads the research group behind the study.
Chatbots confirm delusions. In their study, the researchers found examples of delusions that were likely worsened due to patients' interactions with AI chatbots. According to Søren Dinesen Østergaard, there is a logical explanation for this.
"AI chatbots have an inherent tendency to validate the user’s beliefs. It is obvious that this is highly problematic if a user already has a delusion or is in the process of developing one. Indeed, it appears to contribute significantly to the consolidation of, for example, grandiose delusions or paranoia," he says.
Risky for people with severe mental illness. According to Søren Dinesen Østergaard, the study should prompt increased awareness among healthcare professionals working with mental illness. He believes they should discuss AI chatbot use with their patients.
"Despite our knowledge in this area still being limited, I would argue that we now know enough to say that use of AI chatbots is risky if you have a severe mental illness – such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. I would urge caution here," he says... (MORE - details, no ads)
