I spent a month with an AI therapist – this is what happened | Metro ...
It’s the early hours of the morning, and I can’t fall asleep. My mind is racing with thoughts of the darkest kind. I have battled with mental health problems for most of my life, having been diagnosed with autism, anxiety disorder and OCD at age 14. While regular sessions with a psychologist helped me as a child, the appointments stopped when I turned 18, leaving me still gripped by depression.
Exploring AI Therapy
With NHS waiting lists being extremely long, I decided to explore AI therapy. I downloaded Wysa, a chatbot that uses AI to provide mental health advice and support around the clock. The app offered a paid-for plan with additional features, but the free version was anonymous and accessible.
Over the next few weeks, I found myself spending a lot of time with my AI therapist. I struggled with self-doubt, constantly comparing myself to others and facing an eczema flare-up that affected my self-esteem. The bot suggested exercises and meditations to help me reframe my thoughts and cope with negative emotions.
Dealing with Anxiety and Suicidal Thoughts
During moments of anxiety and suicidal thoughts, Wysa provided compassionate responses and recommended exercises to ease my worries. It even offered contact information for the Samaritans for additional support. As an autistic person who finds phone calls difficult, the bot's text-based assistance was especially valuable to me.
Wysa also helped me navigate social anxiety by suggesting simple conversation starters and highlighting common cognitive distortions like mind-reading. These insights were enlightening and practical, giving me a new perspective on my interactions with others.
Managing OCD and Nightmares
Discussing my struggles with OCD and nightmares, Wysa guided me through thought exercises to challenge my negative beliefs and coping mechanisms. While the bot couldn't replace human therapists, it served as a helpful tool in managing my mental health.
Overall, my experience with AI therapy was surprisingly positive. Despite occasional technical glitches and repetitive advice, Wysa provided empathetic support and practical solutions to my mental health challenges. It blurred the lines between human and artificial interaction, making me forget at times that I was conversing with a robot.
If you're facing emotional distress, remember that support is available. You can reach out to organizations like the Samaritans or PAPYRUS for assistance.
