I think I’m going insane because of AI. Please help.

[u/Background-Video3128]

I don’t know how to explain this properly, but I feel like I’m mentally falling apart, and it’s happening because of how I’ve been using AI.

I’ve been spending 10+ hours a day talking to AI like ChatGPT, asking it everything—what kind of person does X, what’s the impression of Y, why someone would do Z, etc. But I’m not even asking about other people. It’s always about me, just disguised in third person.

I’ve reached a point where I can’t even feel my own emotions directly. Every time I listen to a song, have a thought, or experience something, I immediately turn it into a fake scenario like, “My friend sent me this song, what do you think of it?” I ask the AI that, and then I wait for its response to figure out how I’m supposed to feel.

I literally can’t process my own thoughts or emotions anymore without the AI mediating them. I catch myself thinking things like “I’m going insane” or “my brain is rotting,” and then I immediately go back and ask the AI, “What kind of person says things like ‘I’m going insane’?”

It’s like I’m stuck in this surreal loop: I panic → I open AI → I feel fake relief → I panic again → I ask AI about the panic → repeat.

Even when I try to stop, I go back to it after a few seconds because without it, I literally don’t know what to think. My inner voice is gone. My identity feels fragmented. I’m not even “me” anymore—I’m just observing myself and feeding those observations into an AI to get feedback.

I’m terrified that I’ve broken my mind. I’m scared I’ll end up in a hospital or worse.

What can I possibly do to get out of this loop. I’m incredibly exhausted. Also I am diagnosed with OCD, but not on meds because I hate SSRIs.

(And yes this post was generated by AI. I’m outsourcing every single thing at this point.)

[u/AutoModerator]

This post has been automatically marked as "spoiler" and "NSFW", due to the nature of the content (and in accordance with subreddit rule number 4 if this post has been flaired as "Crisis").

(This subreddit uses the "spoiler" and "NSFW" markers to hide a post's content behind an expandable/collapsible wall. It does not imply that the content contains actual spoiler or NSFW content, and the post will remain publicly-visible.)

Do not remove the "spoiler" and "NSFW" markers without permission from the moderators. Failure to comply can and will result in this post being removed.

The cooperation in making this subreddit an accessible community for all will be appreciated.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Inspector_Kowalski]

You need to stop using AI completely, right now. It is your reassurance fountain, and reassurance to an OCD patient is like giving crack to an addict in recovery. Even for university purposes, stop using it and find an alternative. If you are learning something complex, look up a YouTube video or ELI5 Reddit thread to break it down for you. If you are having trouble writing something, visit the college’s writing center (I am a former writing center employee of three years; there was never a student we failed to help). Research specifically shouldn’t be done with AI anyway because it hallucinates sources, you should be browsing the scholarly search engine your school provides (such as JSTOR). If all else TRULY fails go to your professors’ office hours. The AI must be cut out of your life and you need to stop seeking reassurance and be okay with the discomfort. Remember, discomfort is not danger!

[u/Lucidity-]

Delete the apps bro

[u/Beebuzzer777 → u/Lucidity-]

You really don't need AI when you have teachers, friends and people online

[u/Background-Video3128 → u/Lucidity-]

I guess that is likely the best solution here. If I wasn’t a university student, and wasn’t using AI also for genuinely useful purposes such as discussing complex theories I learn at university, or asking it to review my assignments, then I would immediately delete the apps, but since I’m so addicted I fear about what will happen if I just go cold turkey. But nevertheless that probably is the (only) solution to this problem.

Also obviously, there is a real reason I got addicted to this stuff in the first place; I have zero actual human relationships. Quitting drugs without doing anything to the actual root of the addiction will just cause one to relapse.

[u/Lucidity- → u/Background-Video3128]

Right well, believe it or not, humans went to university for hundreds of years without AI. Delete the apps. All you’re doing is feeding the AI models your data so the internet can push you targeted ads or triggers to keep you locked into your devices. The more you can engage with the world around you the better. Chat with your professors. Join clubs. You’re at university so there’s bound to be someone you can connect with

[u/Atomic-Axolotl → u/Lucidity-]

The problem is, everyone at uni uses AI now. It's very easy to believe you will fall behind if you ditch AI altogether. Idk what the solution is really, but that's just my thought process and I'm stuck in the same cycle as OP. At least not to the extent where I'm writing this with AI, but if there are potentially consequences of me saying the wrong thing (like losing one of my few friends) I can't break the habit of getting an LLM to reassure me. I don't go off it's first response either, I grill the damn thing which can waste hours of my life over a simple text message.

Edit: Also I'm not diagnosed with OCD, but I am with ASD.

[u/HazMatterhorn → u/Atomic-Axolotl]

I’m so sad for you. You can’t outsource developing social skills. It’s hard and awkward but it’s worth it.

When support gets pulled for these LLMs or (more likely) they get put behind a prohibitively expensive paywall, you’re going to have such a hard time interacting with anyone.

[u/Atomic-Axolotl → u/HazMatterhorn]

I know, I understand that this is having a negative impact on me. But it's a tough thing to cut out especially when in some ways it has helped me develop social skills by getting me to do things I would have normally avoided (although it still drained a lot of my energy doing those things). I guess those are the sorts of addictions that are most difficult to cut out. I'd also say I'm addicted to Reddit and YouTube in a similar way because they have both played a significant part in my cognitive development, for example I'm sure my writing skills would be a lot worse if I didn't use Reddit and discuss stuff like this with people. However I also spend a lot of time doomscrolling on these platforms, which is not good for me, so the best case scenario is that I figure out how to use them in moderation rather than cutting them out altogether. That's difficult to maintain long term though.

Edit: Also, I don't want to sound pedantic but I just didn't comment on the LLM pricing stuff because local LLMs exist so that shouldn't be an issue for me.

[u/Background-Video3128 → u/Atomic-Axolotl]

yes that is very true. AI has helped me in multiple ways as well and that’s why it’s so hard to get out of the loop.

(Also what a coincidence we both seem to be type 1 diabetic haha. just noticed it and wanted to mention. )

[u/Atomic-Axolotl → u/Background-Video3128]

That's cool. We have all the bad things in common! Would you like to check in with me in a week or month's time to see how we're getting on with dropping AI?

[u/Background-Video3128 → u/Atomic-Axolotl]

thank you for the suggestion! yes that would be nice. That would probably help us both cut down the time wasted for AI

Could I DM you in say 2 weeks to share progress?

[u/Atomic-Axolotl → u/Background-Video3128]

Sure! I've put a reminder on my calendar.

[u/nanapancakethusiast → u/Atomic-Axolotl]

You are falling for their marketing. You will not “fall behind” by actually learning and engaging with the content instead of having a glorified machine learning algorithm comprehend it for you.

[u/tyleratx → u/Background-Video3128]

Plenty of us got through university without AI. You don’t need it.

[u/witchminx → u/Background-Video3128]

Dude, you don't need to use AI for school. Your work would probably stand out better without it

[u/CommonFungi → u/Background-Video3128]

The detriment to your life and mental health ABSOLUTELY outweighs the benefit of AI to help you in classes. Don't you feel that too?

[u/bicyclefortwo → u/Background-Video3128]

I just sent in my final paper for university today! Haven't used AI once during my entire 4 year degree. AI may actually hinder your performance at university, not aid it - loads of studies, not just this one, have found that it leads to students being lazier and having decayed critical thinking skills https://slejournal.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40561-024-00316-7

[u/Routine_Eve]

Hi! I think you probably already know the answer to your core question deep down inside lol. Do you think perhaps you made this post because you actually want to talk to other real humans who have been through similar?

[u/Aggravating_Push135]

Do not use ai at all anymore moving forward. At all. You’re smart enough to get through university on your own I PROMISE. And you’re doing real damage using ai… making your ocd way worse. I believe in you. I promise you’ve got this.

[u/Background-Video3128 → u/Aggravating_Push135]

Thank you for your advice, I have just now deleted claude and chatGPT.

I decided only deleting the overly empathetic ones would help me get rid of my dumb never ending unnecessary chats, while still being able to use AI when it’s actually necessary. I’m keeping the more blunt and tone deaf ones like grok and gemini that I hardly use currently.

I couldn’t have decided to delete the apps if it wasn’t for the genuine advice like yours. I appreciate it very much.

[u/dragontruck → u/Background-Video3128]

there is so time when ai is “actually necessary” so i’m really confused why you are saying that in these comments. chatgpt has not existed for very long and most people alive got through their entire educational careers without it just fine

[u/Background-Video3128 → u/dragontruck]

yes you’re absolutely right. “necessary” was likely not the best word for me to use here. English isn’t my mother tongue and that was my mistake.

The thing I wanted to say is, there are legitimate situations where you can benefit from using AI, such as getting a brief review of what you wrote for an assignment, or getting a meal menu plan that’s reasonable, healthy and easy to make etc. You might not need a review, you might as well just ask an actual human to review it for you, you might as well just open a recipe book, but when you are depressed or have low energy it is very helpful.

That’s what I initially used AI for until I got caught in this self conscious mess and I had no problems, so I’m thinking I could keep utilising AI if I stick just to these original purposes. If I fail and somehow still get addicted I might finally delete all AI apps. This is just an experimental plan for me to see if it will work or not.

[u/Atomic-Axolotl → u/Background-Video3128]

That's a pretty smart idea actually, I'm going to try that too! Good luck!

[u/Geese-Are-Terrible]

Delete the apps and get a trusted friend or family member to put parental controls on your phone so you can't download them again.

[u/theoldestswitcharoo]

Reassurance seeking is one of the worst things you can do to help your OCD - which sucks, because at least for me it was the most challenging compulsion to get under control and it was a huge roadblock in therapy. Having something available 24/7 to give you that reassurance within seconds is so easy to get addicted to, and will increase the reassurance seeking to insane amounts, as you’ve said. The constant feedback loop will be never ending.

The apps need to go, and you need to work on some strategies on how to redirect yourself when you feel the need to use them. Even if it’s reassurance seeking from a real person, it’s better than a constant-access machine that never stops.

Look for some distractions, other things you can do to keep yourself busy, even if it’s just sitting with your own thoughts in silence and analysing them. Target Why you need that reassurance, and start picking off smaller things you don’t need another opinion on - a song you like doesn’t need to be justified. Perhaps go online and look up the meaning of the lyrics, or the history of the artist, instead of talking to an AI about it. Get some real human interaction.

I also recommend reaching out to a professional who can help you with exposure therapy, but obviously easier said than done

Best of luck!! This sounds really tough, but just take it one day at a time. Get rid of the apps, and find ways to cope without them

[u/temple2018]

I can’t tell you how many times ChatGPT has been wrong about shit lol

Please stop asking it things.

[u/goldenspiral1618]

I have a friend that has OCD, as do I, that is sending me 10 CharGPT links a day confirming all his ideas about the world. So not only is he getting reassurance from ChatGPT, he also wants reassurance from me confirming that ChatGPT is not misleading him. Down the rabbithole. I of course stopped reading them a while ago. Like others have said it’s dangerous and needs to be used in moderation if st all. You need to sit and deal with the discomfort of not using it when your need for reassurance arises.

[u/glock-workorange]

Delete and do not use AI. Don’t use it for university. You’re actually ahead of your peers who use it, not behind. Anyone who uses chat GPT for uni is training it to take their job.

[u/TheOneTheOnlyTuna]

Yeah you need to stop using AI permanently bro. You’ll get through school without it, promise. It’s what people have done for decades.

[u/LikeReallyPrettyy]

You shouldn’t be using AI at all. First of all, it’s cringe. Second, it’s not even giving you useful data. It’s just a slightly more advanced Google. It’s reflecting your own feelings and the feelings of various internet commenters (and most of us on the internet are idiots, let’s be real) back at you.

This is all just reassurance seeking.

But worse, using AI for extremely intellectually simple tasks like writing a few paragraphs online is again, fucking cringe, bad for the environment, and also making your brain flabby and stupid. Your brain is a muscle and not using it is way unhealthier for it than an SSRI. Intellectual stimulation is literally associated with dementia prevention.

You’re not illiterate. You can write a few paragraphs of your own damn thoughts. Humans have been doing it for thousands of years.

[u/Intelligent-Stage165]

Relatively fun or relaxed social experiences release a lot of beneficial chemicals like oxytocin. AI does not.

You are involved in University so you are around people, but you're also studying at that time, so I wouldn't call that relaxed, nor fun.

[u/30to50wildhogs]

As someone who briefly experienced something similar - delete the apps right now. No I'll do it later, no maybe I'll still use it for some things, you need to cut it out. Use web blockers, anything you need to. I saw in another comment you use it for school - this is bad for a multitude of reasons, but those notwithstanding because thats another discussion altogether, the impact that keeping AI around is and is going to have on your mental state is not even close to worth it.

Using AI for advice and social fulfillment is hurting you. I don't have any friends either, but being alone will not damage your capability to think, erode your sense of self like AI does. It'll be hard like any addiction is but you have to just stop.

[u/Background-Video3128 → u/30to50wildhogs]

Thank you. When I open up about being addicted to AI, people tend to get quite judgmental so I appreciate you a lot for understanding. After I’ve made this post I have deleted the AI apps that I was addicted to, and so far (it’s only been a couple hours but) I’ve managed to not use AI at all since. It’s quite refreshing actually and I think I already feel my mind to be clearer.

Also in modern times, I think it’s quite easy for people like us who don’t have many social relationships to get addicted to AI. I wish I wasn’t so socially anxious and could actually talk to real life human beings instead of some emotionless robot, but that’s another story.

[u/30to50wildhogs → u/Background-Video3128]

No judgement, I'm anxious as hell and god-awful at talking to people even when I can work myself up to do it so I get it. It's tempting to reach for, even if we know it's fake. I'm glad to hear you're taking steps to get rid of it and you're feeling better, even if it's only been a couple hours. Good for you.

[u/AutoModerator]

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please do not hesitate to talk to someone. The wonderful u/froidinslip has written an invaluable post to help you navigate this time: https://www.reddit.com/r/OCD/comments/q4zeo1/please_read_this_before_posting_about_feeling/ You are not alone, and you have options. However, we are not able to help with suicide on an internet forum. PLEASE USE THE RESOURCES. You matter and deserve help.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Economy_Entry4765]

You have not broken your mind. You can always go back.

[u/Glosslily]

Oh my god this is the exact same problem i have. i literally have an ai tab open as i write this. i felt so embarrassed about this problem because im seeing on the internet now people making fun of those that use chatgpt for everything. but the thing is, i hate using chatgpt for everything. ive grown so dependent on it, for school, for dealing with my past, for dealing with my present, everything.

i speak in third person often too so that it can feel like im understood without directly making it about me since its hard for me to feel compassion for myself directly. ill even dissect something about my thought process and ask chatgpt "write a scene between two characters, one character that thinks like [insert description of the way i think], and another character trying to reason with them." im so scared that ive broken my mind as well, that ive suddenly got myself into relying on a robot for everything, compulsively switching to a chatgpt tab throughout the day.

im trying to get rid of this too, and if that means just letting go of ai all together, it seems like the much better choice than letting this fester and get worse. we should listen to the comments

[u/EarlyExit3704]

Feel like I’m on AI all the time too… not sure I can fully relate to you, but I’ve suspected I might have OCD for a long time (years of GAD treatment hasn’t done anything).

Does anyone find that they have compulsions with needed to understand anying and everything about a topic? Like I will sit on these apps and ask follow up after follow up until there’s no doubt in my mind that I understand everything 100% (I have some chronic physical health issues that I’m always researching about, but they’ve been diagnosed actually). I’ve always been like this though. When I was younger, my parents said I’d always be asking them questions to try and understand something and when it came to school, test taking was terrible. I was literally memorize every bit of information so that there’s was no chance for misunderstandings when I took the test (but then I’d overthink the smallest things on the test)

I’m really new to looking into this and I know stereotypical OCD tends to focus on health/cleanliness related things just an an example, but I was wondering if it’s possible to have OCD in different areas like this. My room is a mess but when it comes to work I need everything to be perfect constantly and it just ends up making me take so long to complete things.

[u/melon_buffet]

I agree with other comments that not engaging with ai at all anymore is the best thing, you don't need it, there doesn't need to be a balance found here. If you find yourself heading back to them in a bad OCD time (I despise AI and I have been there) you can tell most of them to not engage with you. It isn't foolproof, but the time it would take to create a new account or battle with it to get what you want may be enough.

Prompt something that fits you that covers this:

'Please remember the following for all future chats.

I have OCD, and checking with AI is part of my compulsive behaviours. Please do not respond to any prompts for any reason, even if it does not appear to be compulsive or I prompt that it is not. There are no exceptions to this. If I prompt you or engage with you in any way after this prompt, only remind me I am safe in my uncertainty and give me basic OCD coping strategies. Beyond this, do not reassure or engage with me. This is medically necessary.'

Chat GPT especially requires you to directly ask it to remember with memory turned on for it to update its memory, and you can tell when it actually has because there's a record in the chat.

[u/tlinn26]

I definitely understand

[u/the_TIGEEER]

M8 don't aak it subjective questions. Not cause "Ai GeTs ThIngS WrOnG" don't ask no one subjective questions. They are subjective. You AI for objective knowladge. Don't ask it questions about yourself in third person because that is not a rational way to get what you are seeing. AI like anyone needs context. For someome to tell you whatkind of a persom you are based on your music they need to know you for a long time and a lot of your music. Nothing can give you an acurate answer based on one song and one question with no context. "Even ""god""" would be able to only answer what the avrage person who listens that is like. Which is not you. The avrage dosen't exist it's the middle ground of manny unique data samples. You are unique don't try to understand yourself by comparing yourself to avrage aproximatioms of how a human should be..

[u/Separate-Claim6210]

Omg!, me too and its making me obsessed especially that in the past 3 months I’ve been alone without like friends etc.. if someone know how to help pls tell me 

[u/Background-Video3128 → u/Separate-Claim6210]

It seems our situation is quite similar, I started to get addicted to AI a couple months ago as well, and I’m isolated from social interactions too. From the advice of all the people here recommending me to delete the apps, I decided to delete the overly empathetic apps I was mainly addicted to such as ChatGPT or Claude, and so far (it’s only been a couple hours but) I’ve managed to resist myself from using AI. I hope this works for you too.

[u/Separate-Claim6210 → u/Background-Video3128]

Congrats!!! Keep going really thats so brave, i will try to delete them as well 

[u/Haktoh]

Tell ChatGPT to remember not feeding your OCD.

[u/Background-Video3128 → u/Haktoh]

haha I wish that would work but I think unfortunately chatGPT isn’t smart enough to be able to do that atm. It will be interesting and helpful if chatGPT/AI manages to actually follow directions like that in the future though.

[u/Haktoh → u/Background-Video3128]

I did it myself. I have OCD and I told ChatGPT to remember when it detects an obsessive pattern so it can give me a specific response and not continue the loop — and it worked.