To think chat GPT is better than some 'real' therapists?

I guess it learns its responses from work already out there?

Of course it does, it can’t think or generate new knowledge.Which is one of the issues I guess, what happens to all the practice based research that brings new insight if people use AI instead of human therapists? AI draws on what’s already out there so everyone using it will get a variation on a theme based on text books and what other people tell in instead of the responsive, in the moment support from a person who can see and hear them.

The article has a positive-sounding headline but lists the many problems and dangers.

People around the world have shared their private thoughts and experiences with AI chatbots, even though they are widely acknowledged as inferior to seeking professional advice. Character.ai itself tells its users: "This is an AI chatbot and not a real person. Treat everything it says as fiction. What is said should not be relied upon as fact or advice."
But in extreme examples chatbots have been accused of giving harmful advice.

The BBC have just posted this.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ced2ywg7246o

Oh it didn’t show properly. It’s an article about using AI as therapy.

And now it is showing properly.

😂

Interestingly, the output a pp posted sounded just like a cbt sheet.

I guess it learns its responses from work already out there?

I don't like the way it sounds like it's a person when it's not, but that's just me. I wonder if we'll start losing skills after a while eg when once we would have thought up our own poems, we will Starr to rely on this. Straying off the topic somewhat, but it makes me feel a bit sad.

I think using it as a replacement for therapy needs care, but is better than nothing if waiting lists are long and funding is scarce. Interested in whether there's any research comparing it to person therapy?

@Rinoachickenyes of course I understand that we all use technology for all sorts of things - I just don’t believe it is the right tool for this particular very human problem.

What makes you think I’m not aware of that??

Do you have a relationship with your car? Your laptop? It’s technology. Which has been designed to be used. I’m using it. It not a real person, it’s circuits and cables and connections.

@FortyElephants@Rinoachicken@vintagedove many (all) peoples mental heath issues were created in relationship or by relationship or are about current relationships with others and we are inherently relational beings. Our sense of self was created in relationship.

I have just downloaded it and asked it a few things…it’s written me a letter to my LA about planning permission, it’s given me some meal ideas from the stuff I have in & has helped with loan/business loan stuff!

Why I haven’t I used this before, it’s amazing! And so friendly & caring too!

its telling me I’ve used up my quota for today but I can go back on tomorrow!

I don't have kids, I don't eat meat, I don't drive, I very rarely travel abroad and I ultimately try and live a sustainable lifestyle in terms of clothes etc. I'm certainly not going to beat myself up over using ChatGPT for my MH.

I used ChatGPT to write my mother's eulogy. I polished it a little bit in essence, it gave me everything I needed at a difficult time.

I did remove the bit where it asks if it can help me with anything else.

I've just had a look at this so called brilliant chatgpt download it to see what its all about.
My response to it is well its utterly brilliant.
Why it as taken me this long i do not know.
Needed someone to listen to a few things tried it out and its wonderful.

It's amazing - for all kinds of things, BUT, it does get things wrong sometimes. It got a simple calculation muddled up for me a while ago, and it can't read company accounts correctly, but other than that, I've found it incredibly useful.

I really wouldn't describe myself as having a relationship with AI. It's an amazing tool. I'm very aware it's not a person. I don't ask it anything about its own life, preferences, hobbies, deepest secrets...it's not a two way thing!

It’s all it is, and it’s useful for many. End of.

I’m not ‘having a relationship’ with a machine. I’m using technology.

It would be really interesting to compare Chat GPT results with that of Grok xAI.

I've found for health matters Grok diagnosis and research very helpful (with the strong caveat that it's not a substitute for a real Health Care Professional).

Will also check out GPT & Gemini

In modern life there are sadly more people in need of help with MH problems, than there are human redources to help those people. Without years of waiting.

A gap in the market, I guess.

It’s as interactive as you want it to be, I think. Just write a very short explanation what you need help with, like a sentence or two. You will see. But then be as specific as you can with details.

I'm interested, I can't afford therapy, I need it for grief and other issues.
Do you have to pay for this service and what would I ask it?
Would I tell or ask something and it gives an answer or is it more interactive.

There is a massive difference between offloading or getting some CBT type suggestions and depth psychotherapy. I think what most people are referring to here are the former.

I think it is utterly dystopian to have a relationship with a machine but there we go maybe I’m a dinosaur. Says it all really about modern life that people are in a position where they think it is normal to have a relationship with something that has no empathy as it is just machine learning.

Ok, I had to read the above mentioned birthday poem to my very, very old cat again, written by AI. It WAS bloody great. Sorry.

I wonder how much water posting on mumsnet uses. Or googling.

£85 a week?!? This is impossible for most people I imagine.

You’re very dismissive of people ‘s problems.

And actually yes being able to step back is a great thing to be able to do. Having the breathing space agd pausing when it’s too much. You’d do that in a session with a therapist too!