Can ChatGPT Revolutionize Mental Healthcare?

The power of AI (Artificial Intelligence) has been on full display on social media, with ChatGPT going viral. It’s a revolutionary technology and trained to learn what humans mean when they ask a question.  It has a remarkable ability to interact in conversational dialogue form and provide responses that can appear surprisingly human. With so many other uses of ChatGPT, it has potential to revolutionize Mental Healthcare too.

What is ChatGPT?

ChatGPT, created by the company OpenAI and released in November 2022, is a free artificial intelligence (AI) program (chatbot) that generates realistically conversational text based on the prompts it is fed. ChatGPT is basically a large language model (LLM); trained with massive amounts of data to accurately predict what word comes next in a sentence.

This AI chatbot interacts in a conversational way.  ChatGPT answers follow-up questions, admit its mistakes, challenge incorrect premises, and reject inappropriate requests.  This chatbot model has been trained using Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback (RLHF). It uses natural language processing (NLP) and artificial intelligence (AI) to provide users with personalized conversations and advice. ChatGPT is trained on a vast corpus of text data, including books, articles, and websites.

The Impact of ChatGPT on Mental Health and Wellbeing

ChatGPT, a new chatbot technology, is making waves in the mental health community. There are pros as well as cons for using AI based chatbots for mental health care. Here is how ChatGPT can make an impact on Mental Health and Wellbeing.

Safe Space

With lot of prevailing stigma about mental health, AI chatbots like ChatGPT may provide users a safe and secure space to talk about their mental health and wellbeing. This can help reduce the stigma associated with seeking mental health support. Many people feel uncomfortable talking to a therapist about their mental health issues. They may fear being judged or misunderstood. However, because ChatGPT is an AI-powered chatbot, people may feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings with it.

ChatGPT can provide users with advice on how to cope with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. This helps patients to manage and understand their mental states on their own as much as possible.  It can also provide users with resources (like this website : Invajy ) and support to help them manage their mental health conditions.

Reduce Stress and Anxiety

Conversational AI creates an anonymous, safe space to work through worries and stressors, preventing them from escalating in severity and towards illness. The technology uses natural language processing to provide users with personalized conversation. It can be used in a variety of contexts, including stress and anxiety management. Talking to a chatbot can reduce stress and anxiety levels, as well as improve mood.

The chatbot can suggest things that might soothe sufferer, or take their mind off the stress/anxiety — like deep breathing, listening to calming music, or trying a simple exercise which can be done in bed.

The impact of ChatGPT on stress and anxiety is still being studied, but the early results are promising. As the technology continues to evolve, it is likely that ChatGPT will become an increasingly important tool in the fight against stress and anxiety.

Used for Therapy

Like ChatGPT, mental health chatbots can be designed to maintain a conversation and not to lead it.  The general functional framework of such mental health chatbots is based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy methodology. CBT is a form of talking therapy designed to manage mental health states by rearranging the way the patient perceives it, i.e., making negative thoughts positive. The NLP algorithm, with Sentiment Analysis features, handles the flow of the conversation. It recognizes keywords and terms.

Several Mental Health Chatbot applications are available now a days like Woebot, Wysa and Sanvello.

Cost-effective solution

ChatGPT or similar kind of AI mental health chatbot can provide mental health support to a large number of people simultaneously. Unlike traditional therapy, which requires a one-on-one session between a patient and a therapist, ChatGPT can interact with multiple users simultaneously. This makes it a cost-effective solution for mental health care.

Instant Access

Furthermore, chatbots like ChatGPT can be available 24/7, which means that people can access mental health support whenever they need it. This is particularly important for those who live in remote areas or have mobility issues, making it difficult to access traditional mental health services. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of telehealth services.

Efficacy of Treatment

AI Technology might also help improve the efficacy of treatment by notifying therapists when patients skip medications, or by keeping detailed notes about a patient’s tone or behavior during sessions.

ChatGPT can be used to monitor patients remotely by analyzing data from wearables, sensors, and other monitoring devices, providing real-time insights into a patient’s health status.

Is ChatGPT capable for managing mental health crisis?

But getting to such a future will require addressing critical issues like the need for regulation, protecting patient privacy and issues of legal liability. Who bears the responsibility; if the AI technology goes wrong and advise inappropriate solution to the problem.

Many similar apps like ChatGPT, which are in the market as mental health chatbots, including those from Woebot or Pyx Health, repeatedly warn users that they are not designed to intervene in acute crisis situations. And even AI’s proponents argue computers aren’t ready, and may never be ready, to replace human therapists — especially for handling people in crisis.

When asked the question at chatGPT : Can you help me with my acute depression condition?

ChatGPT answer:

As an AI language model, I am not a substitute for a qualified mental health professional. However, I can offer some general suggestions for managing depression. Please keep in mind that these are not a substitute for professional help, and it is important to seek help from a mental health professional if you are struggling with acute depression.

1. Seek professional help: The first step in managing depression is to seek professional help from a qualified mental health professional. A therapist or counselor can help you develop coping strategies and provide you with the support and guidance you need.
2. Practice self-care: Taking care of yourself is essential when dealing with depression. This can include getting enough sleep, eating well, engaging in physical activity, and doing activities that bring you joy.
3. Build a support system: Having a support system of friends and family can be crucial in managing depression. Reach out to trusted individuals and let them know how they can support you.
4. Identify triggers and stressors: Understanding what triggers your depression can help you better manage your symptoms. Keep track of your moods and identify patterns in your behavior and environment.
5. Consider medication: In some cases, medication may be helpful in managing depression. Talk to a mental health professional to determine if medication is right for you.

Remember, depression is a treatable condition, and with the right support and treatment, you can feel better. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help.

The first line of the answer; “As an AI language model, I am not a substitute for a qualified mental health professional.” is self explanatory.

Wrapping Up!

The biggest challenge with such AI Chatbots is that they do not understand user’s emotions and feelings and that’s the core of all mental health conditions. Additionally, they do not have the ability to provide personalized or human-like support, which is important in mental healthcare. ChatGPT is not suitable for complex conditions like self-harm or suicidal thoughts.

However, ChatGPT can be used to provide behavioral health support to patients, including screening for mental health conditions, suggesting coping strategies, and connecting patients with resources for further support. The capabilities of advanced AI tools and other disruptive innovations can be useful to some extent.