BY EDISON MARTE SICAD
“I know now why you cry, but it is something I can never do.” –Terminator 2: Judgment Day
AS TECHNOLOGY (Artificial Intelligence) becomes more embedded in our day-to-day activities, giving us access to almost everything, helping us provide better services to more people in less time, and ensuring our safety and that of our loved ones, can technology also aid us in improving our mental health?
Allow me to share with you an article of my former student who tackles such an issue.
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A Mental Health Experiment with ChatGPT
A.I. chatbots are a dime a dozen these days. I fear that someday these pseudo-sentient programs will overtake functions reserved to living, breathing human beings. Still, I rest easy knowing the one thing they will never steal from humanity: empathy.
That said, I decided to conduct an experiment:
First, I picked up my therapy notebook. This contains my thoughts during the several months I went through therapy to overcome my Major Depressive Disorder.
Second, I talked about these thoughts with ChatGPT. This is a popular chatbot that can answer questions, tell stories, produce essays, and even write code.
Third, I evaluated whether I would feel “listened to”.
Here is an abridged version of the things it returned to me.
1. Discovering Light in the Darkness
Me: I find it difficult to get out bed. I need a song for me to get my feet on the floor. My latest LSS has been the song Roar of the Spark from the video game Guilty Gear: Strive. I like its inspiring lyrics: “Faith, pride. So, what do I have to fear?” When the singer finally shouts, “Never stop, just go! I don’t care how many more scars I get,” I get motivated. However, I still get tired when the song ends.
ChatGPT: When we face hardships, it is crucial to embrace faith and hope. Faith allows us to trust in a higher power and believe that there is a purpose to our struggles. By holding onto hope, we can find the strength to persevere, knowing that brighter days lie ahead.
2. Jogging: A Path to Mental and Physical Resilience
Me: I jog a lot lately. Jogging perfectly mixes “being productive” with “not doing anything”. I just need to summon enough energy to stretch, pop on my headphones, listen to the songs on my Spotify playlist entitled “Manipulative Sadboi”, and run as fast as I can.
ChatGPT: Jogging, can be a transformative practice for our mental and physical well-being. It strengthens our bodies, making us more resilient to face the challenges that come our way. Jogging becomes a metaphor for pushing forward and overcoming obstacles.
3. Self-Care as a Foundation
Me: Food tastes icky, bathwater feels invasive, and my bed is so seductive. I feel so useless because I can’t even take care of myself right. Is this what depression does? Why do I need to do these?
ChatGPT: Basic self-care activities such as eating well, staying hydrated, maintaining personal hygiene, and getting adequate sleep may seem simple, but they provide a solid foundation for overall well-being.
4. The Value of Seeking Professional Help
Me: I have been watching a lot of Dr. K from HealthyGamerGG on YouTube. I’m interested in talking to somebody like him myself. But what about the stigma? What will people say about me when they find out I need to seek help from a therapist?
ChatGPT: Therapy provides a safe space to explore our thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Healing takes time, but through therapy, we can find solace, gain insights, and discover long-term benefits.
5. Breaking the Cycle of Hurt
Me: I now understand that depression is a cycle. First, I feel extremely sad. Second, I lose my sanity due to extreme sadness. Third, people try to help me. Fourth, I lash out at the people who try to help me. Fifth, I feel guilty and afraid. Sixth, I feel extremely sad again. Cycle!
ChatGPT: Sometimes, our pain and trauma can lead us to project insecurities onto others or engage in harmful behaviors. By breaking the cycle of hurt, we can cultivate healthier relationships based on understanding, empathy, and kindness.
6. Embracing Solitude with Kindness
Me: There is a sharp distinction between feeling lonely and being alone. Depression demonstrates that well. It’s an illness that forces me to feel lonely even in the middle of a large crowd. Sometimes, especially when I am within a large crowd.
ChatGPT: Sometimes, life’s challenges demand that we face them alone. We must avoid pushing people away and instead seek support and connection when needed.
7. Detaching from Negative Emotions
Me: I am not my mental illness. It is not my source of meaning. The greatest unhappiness is not liking myself. I need some profound purpose and make my destiny a tapestry of my own design.
ChatGPT: Our feelings do not define us. Detaching from negative emotions allows us to observe them without identifying with them. Assigning ourselves a meaningful purpose beyond our emotions enables us to find happiness and self-acceptance.
8. Cultivating Overwhelming Love
Me: The truth is emotions are a part of life. To deny them is akin to denying the curve of the earth. If I cannot help being a fountain of overwhelming emotions, I will turn myself into a fountain of overwhelming love.
ChatGPT: Emotions are an integral part of life, and they can be overwhelming at times. Instead of suppressing or avoiding these emotions, we can channel them into acts of love and compassion. By embracing our emotions and using them as a driving force for positive change, we not only transform our own lives but also create a ripple effect of love and kindness in the world.
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My impression is that ChatGPT knows how to use buzzwords and give pieces of advice similar to what I may get from run-of-the-mill self-help books. Beautiful, but not sufficient.
After these conversations, I became more convinced of my theory. I never really felt “listened to”. It just intellectualized what I felt. As the name suggests, A.I. chatbots simulate intelligence, not empathy. Logic, not warmth. Data, not love.
If you want the latter, find them in your friends and family. Find them in yourself. Keep this in mind: “No matter how intelligent and A.I. chatbot can get, it can never give you a hug.” Trust me, you’ll be fine. We’ll be fine./PN
