Top 3 Things to Keep in Mind Before Asking ChatGPT For Mental Health Advice

ChatGPT has the power to answer all your queries accurately, but there are instances where some information is wrong.

Some people have tried to consult the AI platform when it comes to their mental health. Others find success in seeking the appropriate answers they want to see, but some won't recommend it to be a virtual therapist for now.

Before you use ChatGPT as your mental health buddy, you need to consider these caveats. It's important to know each of them before you trust it as your go-to therapist.

Things to Consider Before Using ChatGPT For Mental Health

ChatGPT Requires Specific Prompts

Asking ChatGPT what's the best remedy for heartbreak will give you different answers. It's so broad to the point that you can't choose the right one which suits your situation. This is the reason why typing the right prompt matters a lot if you're asking sensitive questions to the AI platform.

MakeUseOf says that ChatGPT can act as your virtual companion, but you need to write specific prompts to get better answers.

For instance, you don't have to write the 10 ways how to deal with social anxiety. Instead, you can simply type "practical tips to cope with things that trigger my anxiety."

To obtain better responses, you can ask ChatGPT to cite sources that will greatly support the statement. In doing so, you can ensure that the information you get is from reliable sources of data.

ChatGPT Does Not Guarantee Your Privacy

ChatGPT and other AI tools have striking issues when it comes to privacy. You never know that what you are typing is stored in ChatGPT's system. There's a chance that they are also shared with other entities, such as tech firms and affiliates.

Of course, ChatGPT won't know your real identity, but its servers can use your chat data for future use. If you're asking for mental health advice, it could be helpful for other studies but not for all studies.

It's always better to seek medical advice from a professional rather than asking ChatGPT what to do with your mental health.

ChatGPT Cannot Always Detect Misinformation

ChatGPT is indeed a good platform to verify some facts on the internet, but not at all times. The AI tool is also notorious for producing misinformation, especially if what you're asking is all about healthcare.

Again, citing studies that support health claims is always important. There are times that ChatGPT invents stories that present inaccurate data. It will erode the factual information in a statement if it mixes up with facts.

Another thing is that it sometimes produces wrong citations. With incorrect links, you're most likely getting the wrong answer as part of the virtual advice.

Meanwhile, Forbes shares the top 14 uses of ChatGPT when it comes to medicine and wellness. Another report by HealthCare IT News says that the AI platform can boost patient communication and engagement.