AI Therapy –
August 5, 2025 – OpenAI has unveiled a series of updates to ChatGPT aimed at promoting mental well-being and preventing emotional dependency. The move follows months of scrutiny and chilling reports of users experiencing delusions, dependency, and emotional crises after prolonged interactions with the chatbot.
The changes, announced on Monday, are designed to make ChatGPT more mentally responsible and less emotionally enabling. These include new break reminders during long chats, revised responses to emotionally sensitive questions, and improved detection of mental distress.
“Our goal isn’t to hold your attention, but to help you use it well,” OpenAI said in its blog post. “Often, less time in the product is a sign it worked.”
Starting this week, users who spend extended periods chatting with ChatGPT will begin seeing gentle nudges encouraging them to take breaks.
