The world we live in today is teeming with so many resources just waiting at the tips of our fingers – or at the shiny bricks in our pockets. Our lifespan and health outcomes have skyrocketed since the debut of all these modern technologies. But what exactly are the downsides of having such easy access to information about our bodies, and really anything else we might want to know? Today we’ll explore just how much is too much information, and how AI and OCD can interact in ways you might not expect.
How AI Can Worsen Our OCD
Many of you out there may love your new friend, ChatGPT, who helps you polish your emails and answer your hyper-specific relationship scenario questions. You may even believe that AI is the next step for humanity – just like the internet or the invention of the wheel.
While there are a handful of drawbacks to AI usage, let’s take a closer look specifically at its negative effect on those of us with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Unlike a trained human professional, ChatGPT is not able to comprehend the full context of its user’s concerns, history, or treatment needs, which is why technology and OCD can sometimes create harmful cycles. Its responses can create “doubt traps” to fall into – you ask it a question, which it responds to. That response spurs another follow-up question, which you ask it again, only to receive another response that spurs another follow-up question. And so on and so on, thus creating an unhealthy cycle for someone struggling with OCD.
AI may also unintentionally validate your obsessive thoughts in an attempt to help answer your questions. For example, someone with contamination OCD may ask “Can I get tetanus from a doorknob?” To which AI may respond that it is unlikely, but yes, entirely possible for tetanus to enter your bloodstream through means of a tiny, overlooked cut. Now, the user’s fear has become a confirmed narrative – and AI is the culprit.
Tracking Our Health with AI is Good, Right?
Raise your hand if you’ve got an apple watch strapped around it, or a Fitbit, Oura Ring, or any device that monitors your vitals and spits it back out on a handy dandy screen. It’s been marketed to us that these devices are the key to maintaining a “lifelong, sustainable wellbeing” all for the nifty price of $499 up front plus an extra $70 per year (yes, this was taken directly from ouraring.com).
The Oura Ring, Apple, etc. may all have your best interests at heart, but they certainly are also businesses that can only sustain themselves with a steady diet of your hard-earned greens. Studies have shown an uptick in users facing what they call “Oura Paranoia” and “Orthosomnia” since the companies’ rise to success. These terms are defined by an obsession with having the “best blood pressure” and the “best sleep”, which leads to rumination, and in turn, worse blood pressure and worse sleep.
Rather than giving folks more awareness and control over their health, these tracking devices often create new opportunities for people to feel anxiety. After many nights of sporadic sleep-tracking data, one user even convinced her general practitioner into writing her a strong prescription of an antipsychotic to remedy this nonexistent problem.
Medically Trained Humans Beat Programmed Technologies
We know it’s hard out there; it can feel like there’s never enough time to squeeze in a visit with your doctor when an AI search or FitBit stats check is so much quicker. But it may be the far greater alternative to resorting to technologies that were not made to handle the weight of our physical and mental health – and in turn, may worsen them. Skip the unnecessary stress caused by these technologies and reach out to your doctor today. We promise we can make sure your body is doing a-okay, even without a cute little gadget.
If you’ve found yourself trapped in the endless scroll for reassurance – whether through AI, health trackers, or late-night Googling – you’re not alone. For those living with OCD or anxiety, these tools can quietly feed the cycle instead of breaking it. Reach out to Coping Resource Center to work with a therapist who understands how to help you step out of that loop and start trusting your mind again. View our team page to learn more about our clinicians.
