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Talking through trauma and PTSD
Talking through trauma and PTSD

How do you feel about using AI tools (like ChatGPT or Goblin.Tools) or apps (like Finch and Habitica) to help manage PTSD/CPTSD symptoms?

How do you feel about using AI tools (like ChatGPT or Goblin.Tools) or apps (like Finch and Habitica) to help manage PTSD/CPTSD symptoms?

My older sister introduced me to the Finch app 537 days ago (It's like a personalised wellbeing tamagotchi that you can connect with friends using - incase you haven't heard of it)  and it's been a really positive experience for me to remember the habits I am trying to build and stick to. P.S. I only know its 537 days because it counts the "streak" if you use it everyday - and I've really surprised myself by managing to stick to using it daily for that long.

Goblin.Tools I came across much earlier in my journey as a sole-trader researching websites and apps to help support neurodivergent youths that I work with or provide services to, and to my surprise I discovered it was (personally) immensely helpful for reducing overwhelm and lowering the difficulty of tasks that require more thinking than my brain is sometimes capable of managing.

But the controversial one here I'm really interested in is the use of AI language learning models (like ChatGPT).

The vast majority of people I have been brave enough to ask or speak to about this are staunchly very against using AI for anything related to mental health as it is known to be a poor substitute for speaking to a real person (much less a professional), and beyond that it's well known that over-reliance on such tech weakens ones natural "thinking muscles", and if thats not bad enough - the ethical considerations and very concerning privacy issues are valid things to concern oneself with.

But, with that said - it's now been around long enough to become almost normalised for "neurotypicals" to use AI variants as "smart assistants" to improve productivity, polish draft thoughts or ideas, and/or in general to compensate for all kinds of personal areas of weakness or limitation (helping to think, write, calculate, plan, learn, and create things more quickly / easily).

I feel like use of AI by neurodivergent minds for the exact same purposes (for example, someone with CPTSD trying to find easier ways to function day-to-day or to compensate for their symptoms) inherently attracts a lot more judgement than the exact same case scenario with someone who doesn't identify with a past and/or present experience or experiences of trauma / complex trauma.

Very curious as to what this community thinks of this topic as the cross over between AI and mental health is a very recent development (in the greater scheme of things), its definitely a very broad and very polarising topic...

Personally - I can't make up my mind whether I am more for, or against such technologies/tools being used for this purpose.

I see sooo many risks and downsides, but also so many positives when used thoughtfully and with discernment/caution. On the one hand - these tools can be sooo dangerous, but on the other hand - they can be a real game changer for some of us too.

So yeah, curious if anyone on here uses any of the tools/apps I've mentioned (or others I've maybe not heard of?) to manage and/or cope with your own unique experience, curious as to your opinions (whether you do or don't use tech like this) and if you do or have used tech along these lines - I'd love to learn more about what you found helpful (or not), what you like (or dont like) and where you draw the line / boundaries to keep yourself (and others) safe when using AI or phone apps.

Thanks

3 replies

In response to: How do you feel about using AI tools (like ChatGPT or Goblin.Tools) or apps (like Finch and Habitica) to help manage PTSD/CPTSD symptoms?

Re: How do you feel about using AI tools (like ChatGPT or Goblin.Tools) or apps (like Finch and Habitica) to help manage PTSD/CPTSD symptoms?

Hey @TooManyAcronyms 

 

It’s great that you’ve found an app that works for you! I’m sure others will find it really helpful. Goblin tools looks like something I could benefit from so thanks for mentioning it. I honestly don’t know how to feel about AI language learning models and mental health. I’ve seen it respond dangerously to hypothetical mental health crises so that concerns me deeply. But I also see the potential for free immediate support for those who need it. I don’t really know how to feel about it. I don’t think it can replace human support, but I can still see it being a force for good if used cautiously.  

In response to: How do you feel about using AI tools (like ChatGPT or Goblin.Tools) or apps (like Finch and Habitica) to help manage PTSD/CPTSD symptoms?

Re: How do you feel about using AI tools (like ChatGPT or Goblin.Tools) or apps (like Finch and Habitica) to help manage PTSD/CPTSD symptoms?

Respectfully, you've clearly done your research and thought long and hard about this, I don't think it's worth it.

 

Many people caving and accepting AI as a natural part of their life should not be used as a yardstick, in my opinion, because people cave to literally anything with enough peer pressure. Corporations have made it almost impossible to avoid, which is being used as justification for why it's ok. 

 

There is enough valid evidence to suggest AI does scary bad things for mental health, and for cognitive capacity, for me to want to stay well away from it wherever I can. 

 

Ethically, it is against everything I stand for and I highly encourage people to practice their thinking muscles and find other ways.

 

There are so many wonderful tools and resources that have been created and maintained by humans, and if you're curious and persistent, you'll find something that works for you.

In response to: How do you feel about using AI tools (like ChatGPT or Goblin.Tools) or apps (like Finch and Habitica) to help manage PTSD/CPTSD symptoms?

Re: How do you feel about using AI tools (like ChatGPT or Goblin.Tools) or apps (like Finch and Habitica) to help manage PTSD/CPTSD symptoms?

@TooManyAcronyms 

 

Finch - there's a bunch of us that use it, I find it helpful mostly for chores and things I'm reluctant to do

 

AI - my most recent experience...

 

I think it has its place... but I believe it should not be taking the place for people actually doing their jobs. 

 

My GP likes AI and tends to ask the bot rather than actually doing the research. I have had serious words with him when the AI has proven to be wrong. Multiple times my GP has asked if something contains sulfur which is a significant risk to me and has ended me up in hospital previously, the AI said no and so my GP prescribed it. I check every medication and every script as a result and tell my GP to try again without the AI or find something that would work in the same class and tell him to try this. 

My GP is learning though.

I think it's fine for admin tasks like drafting letters and transcribing audio, but for anything more complicated than that I am inclined to keep clear of, after having been burned a few too many times.

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