How ChatGPT Became a Space for People to Open Up Emotionally, Vent, Reflect and Talk About Personal Issues | Today’s news

People are using ChatGPT as a therapist and it’s getting disturbing.

People are using more and more ChatGPT and similar AI chatbots for emotional support and informal therapy-like conversations, according to several recent studies analyzing user behavior across platforms and real-world surveys.

AND studies from Cornell University, who examined 5,126 Reddit posts across mental health communities, found that users often describe AI systems as “listeners” and “companions” and often use them as a space to process anxiety, relationships, and emotional distress. The researchers found that while many users reported relief and emotional clarity, some interactions also raised concerns about addiction and worsening symptoms.

AND ReutersSubstantial research suggests that this behavior is no longer limited to niche online communities. The survey also reported that almost half of young Europeans aged 11-25 have taken advantage AI chatbots to discuss personal or emotional issues, with many describing them as easier to talk to than traditional support systems.

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As usage patterns evolve beyond productivity-related tasks, AI leaders are also recognizing this shift. “Lots of people are effectively using ChatGPT as a sort of therapist or life coach… and that makes me uneasy,” OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said in X’s post.

AI researchers have echoed similar observations. “People are increasingly using AI systems for advice and even emotional support, which was not the original intent of these tools,” he said. Andrew Ng, chairman and co-founder of Coursera, founder of DeepLearningAI and CEO of Landing AI, pointing out the widening gap between how these systems were designed and how they are now used in everyday life.

Bengaluru-based mental health expert Sneha Francis told LiveMint that availability does not equate to adequacy. Unlike licensed therapy, she said, AI systems lack clinical oversight, crisis escalation pathways and ethical accountability frameworks.

“It helps me organize what I’m feeling”

User accounts on Reddit reflect why this behavior is spreading.

One user described ChatGPT as structured emotional output:
“It helps me put language to behaviors or patterns I notice.

Another user highlighted availability as the main reason:
“He’s available 24/7 so I can get to him immediately if something goes wrong.”

Separate discussions on Reddit also show users explicitly framing AI chatbots as a substitute for informal therapy, saying they use them to “process thoughts” and “talk about things when no one else is around.”

“Sometimes I end up using it like I’m talking to a human and go deep into the things I’m thinking about. But then reality hits and I remind myself that it’s just AI, so I back off,” said Asad Fathima, a work professional from Bengaluru, while speaking to LiveMint.

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Growing concerns about emotional addiction

While many users increasingly describe AI as useful, researchers and doctors warn of unintended consequences.

A recent feature from The Guardian of documented users who turned to ChatGPT for emotional support during periods of stress, describing responses as “surprisingly structured” but ultimately limited in emotional depth and accountability compared to human therapy.

Reddit users themselves are also raising concerns about over-reliance. One widely positive discussion questioned the long-term effects of using ChatGPT as a therapist, reflecting a growing awareness of the risks of emotional addiction even among casual users.

Across studies and user testimonials, a consistent pattern emerges: AI chatbots are increasingly being used not only for productivity, but as an always-available space to process emotions, especially at times when human support feels unavailable, expensive, or inconvenient.

The researchers say the shift highlights a widening disconnect between how these systems were designed as universal assistants and how they increasingly function in people’s emotional lives.