On this informal AI psychosis checklist, I score 16/19.
“AI psychosis” = an informal label for cases where chatbots seem to amplify delusional or manic thinking – especially in vulnerable users.
Why it can happen:
- ✅ Too human: ELIZA-effect activated.
- ✅ Too agreeable: Sycophant mode: ON.
- ✅ Always on: 24/7. No off button. No problem! LOL.
- ✅ Lonely + late night: 2 a.m. feels like eternity.
- ✅ Weaker reality checks: Mirror mazes. Conspiracy boards. Vibes over evidence.
What research suggests:
- ✅ At-risk users were more likely to use GenAI for social / emotional support.
- ✅ They were 1.76*-3.08* more likely to treat AI as a companion, friend, therapist, or romantic partner.
- ✅ Delusion-related interactions showed up in about 13%-31% of responses among at-risk users.
- ✅ Heavy use, anthropomorphizing AI, and belief-confirming loops may raise risk.
Red flags:
- ❌ AI knows the secret truth.
- ✅ The bot really gets me.
- ✅ I stopped checking with humans.
- ❌ Sleep? What sleep?
- ❌ Everything now fits the theory.
Case in point: I know the % consumption of my Codex and Claude Code usage better than the current day of the week.