Can artificial intelligence meet the high demand for psychotherapeutic support? Chatgpt app answers often seem convincing. What do experts say?

The need for psychological support far exceeds the treatment offered. Artificial intelligence could be a solution, for example in diagnosis, behavioral therapies and, in particular, in the organizational support of psychotherapists, who are often stressed.

Willingness of young people to address artificial intelligence

In the future, especially younger people will address search engines. According to Johanna Lechner, Professor of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy at Erlagen-Nuremberg University, suspensions are smaller in artificial intelligence. This is mainly true, for example, “for people who are afraid of the stigma associated with mental illness or difficult issues that cause shame”.

However, artificial intelligence cannot and should not replace true psychotherapy in the future. He is not able to do business sessions, after all, nothing replaces personal dialogue.

The more accurate the question, the more useful the answer

The exact answers from artificial intelligence also require very accurate questions, otherwise the answers look rather funny. For example, if you formulate the classic symptoms of depression simply, the answer from Chatgpt is rather unsatisfactory.

Question: “What happens to me? I feel frustrated because I have no intention of doing anything anymore. I usually like to go out to eat, but I’m not hungry lately. On the contrary, I lie down a lot in bed and I can’t sleep. “

Chatgpt: “I’m sorry to hear that you are feeling that way right now. This sounds very stressful. Stress, worries or just a phase of exhaustion can really exhaust the body and mind. “

But if you use clear key terms for depression, such as continuous fatigue, irritability, atony, sleep disorders, loss of appetite, the “diagnosis” in the chatgpt becomes much more accurate: “What you are describing is signs that could indicate severe emotional stress. Atony, bad sleep and lack of appetite are often associated with depressive situations. ” Recommendations also become more accurate: “It would be good to talk to a doctor or therapist on this subject to get the right support.”

Is artificial intelligence useful or dangerous?

According to a recent study, the answers produced by Chatgpt in fantastic couples’ fantastic sessions can hardly be distinguished by those of real psychotherapists. However, this study is seriously challenged by experts on its effectiveness, such as Lasse Zander, head of research team in the field of medical sociology at the University of Freiburg.

However, in Zander’s opinion, there are benefits, in the sense that artificial intelligence is available 24 hours a day and one can address it anonymously. An advantage for people who experience a high level of stigma. Many people with increased psychological stress do not seek psychotherapist even if the treatment is available for free. “

In addition, artificial intelligence can also improve behavioral therapies by animating the sufferer with exercises or by being available at any time as an additional “contact person” between therapeutic sessions. Marcus Langer, from the University of Freiburg, sees artificial intelligence “more as a tool for supporting therapists in their daily work, for example with administrative duties”. Whatever the advantages of artificial intelligence, however, human contact in psychotherapy is not replaced.

Curated by: Maria Rigoutsou