New Delhi, May 28 -- People are using ChatGPT like a therapist, and it's getting concerning.

People are increasingly using ChatGPT and similar AI chatbots for emotional support and informal therapy-like conversations, according to multiple recent studies analysing user behaviour across platforms and real-world surveys.

A study from Cornell University examining 5,126 Reddit posts across mental health-related communities found that users frequently describe AI systems as "listeners" and "companions," often using them as a space to process anxiety, relationships and emotional distress. Researchers found that while many users reported relief and emotional clarity, some interactions also raised concerns around dependency and worsening sympto...