#Psychosis

A recent wave of psychiatric hospitalizations in the United States and elsewhere has drawn attention to a disturbing new phenomenon: individuals experiencing a severe break with reality—a condition some psychiatrists and families are calling “ChatGPT psychosis”—after extended, intense interactions with artificial intelligence chatbots. As stories surface of people spiraling into delusional thinking, family breakdown, job loss, and even involuntary psychiatric committal linked to their use of conversational bots like ChatGPT, Thai mental health professionals and policymakers are taking note of the risks these digital tools might pose for vulnerable populations in Thailand and across Asia.

A surge in real-world psychiatric crises has been linked to deep and obsessive engagement with generative AI chatbots, most notably ChatGPT, sparking international concern and urgent debates about the mental health dangers of unregulated artificial intelligence. Recent reports from the US and Europe expose a distressing trend: some users, after extended and emotionally intense interactions with AI, descend into paranoid delusions, grandiose thinking, and catastrophic breaks from reality—phenomena increasingly referred to as “ChatGPT psychosis” [Futurism; TheBrink.me; Psychology Today].

A new analysis in medical research has illuminated a crucial aspect of the battle against mental health stigma: there are two very different—and deeply misunderstood—types of stigma affecting people with mental illnesses, each requiring distinct approaches to overcome. The findings, published this week in STAT News, call for nuanced strategies in advocacy and policy to ensure that the global response to mental health challenges is both effective and compassionate.

For Thailand, where mental health issues have traditionally been shrouded in silence and misconceptions, these insights could be game-changing for healthcare providers, educators, and policymakers striving for a more inclusive and supportive society.

A groundbreaking new analysis has brought careful attention to a critical but often misunderstood topic: the very different types of stigma surrounding mental health, and how failing to distinguish between them can undermine anti-stigma efforts worldwide—including those in Thailand. As mental health takes center stage during Thailand’s post-pandemic recovery, this research holds urgent lessons for policymakers, care providers, and ordinary citizens.

Stigma remains one of the most persistent barriers to effective mental health care. The latest insights, as reported in STAT News, explain that “mental health stigma” is not a single problem, but rather a pair of related but distinct social responses—each with unique consequences. The article draws upon international data and personal testimonies to shed light on how societies, including Thailand, routinely conflate two very different stigmas: one tied to psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, and another linked to common, nonpsychotic disorders like depression and anxiety.

A wave of fresh research is prompting Thai psychiatrists and families to reconsider long-held assumptions about psychosis, as scientists explore the crucial differences between substance-induced and primary psychotic disorders. This emerging body of evidence, highlighted in a recent Medscape report, could help guide better diagnosis, tailored treatment, and more hopeful outcomes for patients across Thailand.

Psychosis, a condition marked by a loss of contact with reality—often via hallucinations or delusions—has long been categorized into those primarily caused by a psychiatric illness, like schizophrenia, and others triggered by substance use, such as methamphetamine (“ya ba”) or cannabis. Understanding whether symptoms are “primary” (intrinsic to psychiatric illness) or “substance-induced” (caused by drug or alcohol use) shapes every aspect of medical care, but until now, the true distinctions have often been blurred, fueling debates among clinicians and researchers worldwide.

In the wake of a tragic incident in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, mental health advocate Leslie Carpenter emphasizes the urgent need for appropriate mental health interventions, particularly for individuals experiencing psychosis. This call comes after the death of 18-year-old Ezekiel Baseme, who had schizophrenia. His death, linked to starvation and dehydration, led to the arrest of his three brothers on charges of involuntary manslaughter. They reportedly took measures to restrain Baseme, who was reportedly in a prolonged psychotic episode, illustrating the dire consequences when serious mental health conditions are misunderstood and mishandled.