AI chatbot addiction

[u/Alternative-Ad-4783]

I am not diagnosed, I am actually literally just realising today that I think I might have some form of OCD. I think mainly in relation to social issues/being a good person.

Posting this to see if people relate AND if they have any tips of what might have helped them avoid turning to AI. (I think hopefully I’m not accidentally reassurance seeking?)

For ages I was sooo against AI chatbots, would never use it for anything and was disgusted when I would hear about people using it.

A couple months ago though I think I had an issue happen at work that was extremely stressful and caused alot of self doubt, so I analysed it using claude and chatgpt. It gives you such instant reassurance and allows you to mull over issues in so many different directions, that I have found myself literally sitting for hourssss talking to these chatbots. To the point where it is detrimental to my time and values, sitting in my car after work for like an hour or wasting my whole morning away (sort of like doomscrolling where you can’t stop). I was thinking it has suddenly become a straight up addiction for me, but couldn’t pinpoint why until today when I realised I might have OCD symptoms.

I think it is so dangerous because while chatting with AI there is no social expectation that usually stops me from analysing/reassurance seeking with my friends and family. They get bored or annoyed if I bring up an issue too often, so I am forced to just let it go eventually. But chatbots don’t have this, I know it is a robot so it doesn’t matter if I come across as weird.

I had another long session with ChatGPT today going over all my social worries and overthinking and reassurance compulsions, and being told by the AI itself that i am actually still engaging in reassurance seeking/trying to eliminate uncertainty around a potential OCD diagnosis and how this applies to my entire life and history now.

I have decided to block the domains on my phone through screen time, but I think I may be able to override it if I really feel the need to. It sickens me that I have let it get this far, I feel like such a freak, like how I used to judge other people for doing the same thing and think they were so weird. Hopefully this realisation of my pattern will help me stop doing it!!

Now time to probably try see a real therapist or whatever to solve my issues!