Jessica*, 25, wakes up with a pounding headache and a creeping sense of unease. It’s not just the hangover from a night of dancing and drinking – it’s the gnawing anxiety that seizes her in the morning light.
“It became a space where I can ‘trauma dump’ without worrying if it has the emotional capacity to listen or not,” she said. “Other times, I just need to rant or talk about one thing and end the conversation without feeling the pressure of continuing the conversation since it’s not a real person.”
OpenAI’s chatbot has helped her through heartbreaks and job losses, and it’s judgment free. “I know ChatGPT is an AI bot, but it makes me feel heard and validates my feelings more than any human does sometimes,” she said.
For Jessica, who is between jobs, the structured and rational responses of an AI chatbot feel grounding – almost more reassuring than a late-night call to a friend and far cheaper than therapy. She’s not alone.
As therapy costs rise and mental health stigma persists, more people – especially the young – are turning to chatbots for quick emotional fixes. Whether coping with break-ups or career dilemmas, these AI companions are helping to reshape how some grapple with stress and vulnerability.