For some people, particularly youngsters, an AI chatbot is becoming the first place they turn to when they are distressed. It has its advantages: it is available at any hour, does not appear to judge them and can respond instantly. But when conversations involve thoughts of suicide, the limits of this interaction become consequential. Every conversation with an AI chatbot may not be harmful, but an apparently empathetic response could reinforce hopelessness, prolong rumination, or delay professional help in some people already at risk, say experts.
Sabaresh Pandiyan, consultant, psychiatry, Rela Hospital, Chennai, pointed to another issue: the ‘internal loop’, particularly among younger users, who may derive comfort from the empathetic part of an AI response, while ignoring advice to seek professional help. Repeated reassurance can also make suicidal thinking seem less urgent. Dr. There may be limited situations in which patients use AI alongside clinical care. Dr. This can provide the clinician with information about what happened between consultations.
Keyword recognition alone, he said, is therefore inadequate; the context and consistency of a conversation matter.
“Suicidal distress is not always direct; people may hint, use humour or gradually disclose their thoughts,” said Mithun Prasad, consultant, psychiatry, SIMS Hospital, Chennai. “Talking about suicide or venting about suicide is not the problem, reinforcing hopelessness is,” he said. Nithya said warning signs can include patients quoting AI responses verbatim, withdrawing from human confidants, resisting professional help or developing a rigid view of themselves or their relationships based on chatbot responses. Prasad said some patients use chatbots between appointments to record medication effects or organise their thoughts, and later bring a summary to their psychiatrist.
In clinical practice, psychiatrists see patients use AI to discuss relationships, workplace problems and other personal concerns before speaking to family or friends. Dr. Others may spend months trying to manage difficulties themselves before consulting a professional.
Pandiyan said around 60-70% of patients in his setting discuss such matters with AI first.
For some, this may help them recognise a problem and seek care earlier.
