r/mentalillness • • 21h ago

Advice Needed Sibling with AI Psychosis

14 Upvotes

My brother (M 33) has fibromyalgia, which has caused him chronic pain for about 11 years. I posted here about his overall history, but since he frequents that group, I didn't want to get too specific about his current state. He has not been to therapy since he was about 17. He used to have night terrors about his friends and family dying horribly. He has OCD, but uses it to focus and obsess over details, driving himself mad with his overanalyzing.

He is a dog sitter and has a business because of it. He told my mom about a week ago that he is going through it mentally. For example, he got good news from a client, which will lead to him being on a salary & paying off all his debt. Most would be very excited and feel a weight off of them, but instead, this led to my brother having a mental break, spiraling for days.

This week, he has been sitting a family friend's dogs. They can be a little naughty, and he has fair concerns that the owners need to be more strict and train them better. My brother has decided that one dog is the 'problem,' and the other behaves better when she is separated from the other. This escalated the other night, when he said the dog tried to bite him and that she has hostile energy. He uploaded a normal picture of the dog sitting in her crate to ChatGPT, and it spit out all this information about how the dog is aggressive, follows his eyes, and suggests he call animal control.

At this point, we are trying to talk him down without breaking the illusion or completely denying his observations, because we don't want to set him off further. He told a neighbor the dog was an issue, and the neighbor came over and sedated the dog. The neighbor said the dog was acting a bit anxious, but my brother was legitimately afraid for his life. This dog is a 25- to 30-pound cattle dog with separation anxiety. She has been having accidents in her crate, and he thinks it is intentional and that she is showing 'dominance '? My brother is 6'2" and about 170-ish pounds. None of us believe this dog is actually dangerous, and this was emphasized by him sending the ChatGPT chat where he was asking it, 'Does the dog need to be put down, or can it be fixed'

He sent my mom a video of the dog in the crate, just sitting there, not moving or making a sound, saying, 'This is wild; she is in the crate, and she still wants to kill me.' My mom convinced him to take the 'good' dog back to his place for the night and let the neighbor check on the other dog. He said that he wanted to get away from the dog, because if she did anything to him, he 'wouldn't be able to stop [himself] from breaking the dog's neck' and that it is 'second nature' for him to break a dog's neck if he needs to. (He has never killed or harmed any animal in his care as an adult; as a child, he enjoyed taunting the pet cats we had, but nothing alarming).

ChatGPT has validated all of this delusion. Making him feel that all of his paranoia is valid. When my mom told him he cannot trust what AI says, he just says that it is right and he can trust it. It even told him that his chronic pain is my family's fault for not supporting him enough after his injury. He has gone through phases where my mom is the problem, then it's my dad, and it repeats. He even sent my mom a long list of all the instances of 'abuse' in his life, copied and pasted from the chat. Including an instance when he tried to punch/attack my dad, and my dad just pinned him so he would not hurt himself or others.

With his chronic pain and sensitivity, it seems that he is just always on the edge of a cliff, waiting for something to push him off. He never takes responsibility for problems in his life; he always finds someone or something to blame. It is all his OCD making him obsess over events and details, and he has taken small instances of family jokes and has blown them up to the level of a severely abused child.

My mom drove out there to 'help watch the dog', but to really assess the situation and see if she needs to have mental health services intervene (and protect the dogs). My mom doesn't want to totally freak out the neighbors or family friends because, since his business is pet management, if anyone knew how he was acting, he would be ruined. But now he is convinced that my mom is 'not obeying' him, is putting his business at risk, and is asking her to never visit or talk to him again. He says that he is going to let the family friend come home 'to say goodbye' before he calls animal control, for a dog who has never bitten anyone; she was just anxious, pooping in her crate, and is not well leash-trained.

I know it is loaded to say this because he is 5 years older than me, and I haven't lived his life. But this dog is not aggressive at all. He was not abused as a child. My parents have bailed him out over and over, paying for his debts, being there every time he has had an episode, and doing their best to help him. But he is an adult, and if he doesn't want to do go a therapist or doctor, they can't force him. My mom has gathered information for local mental health crisis services and does not plan on talking to him alone; instead, she plans to do it as a group with the family friends after they get home.

This is a long-winded way to say: What do you do as a parent/family member when someone is delusional and using AI to convince themselves everything they say is right? Any suggestions for how to approach him about it?

TLDR: What do you do when someone is mentally ill, possibly in a state of AI-supported psychosis, and they do not want help, but they could be about to harm others and/or ruin their career? How do you approach someone not in their right mind?


r/mentalillness • • 19h ago

Discussion Is it weird I want a mental illness/es?

9 Upvotes

Please don't rip me to shreds but if you want to do it as Ive been told from people you DON'T want mental illness/es I am 16 and have autism and have suffered with mental health for over 6 or so years and I've never gotten actual help with anything mentally wrong apart from a few talks at my school and like an intervention with people to try and stop or calm down my substance use even though I smoke weed daily and have done mdma 20 times I'm 3 months


r/mentalillness • • 14h ago

Advice Needed I’ve finally decided to disappear

5 Upvotes

I’ve been struggling with depression for years now, and lately I’ve reached a point where I’m finding it incredibly difficult to see a future for myself. It’s really really dark, and to be honest I’ve decided to disappear

I recently ordered a book called *The Last Book*. It’s designed to help people organize their final thoughts, memories, and important information for the people closest to them after their d4th. Something about having that book made everything feel a lot more real, and it’s been difficult to process.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about disappearing and not having to deal with life anymore. I’ve started to convince myself that the people around me would be better off without me. I know that might sound harsh, but when you’ve spent so long feeling like a burden, it can become difficult to see yourself any other way.

I’ve tried getting help over the years, but I still feel deeply unhappy and exhausted. It’s frustrating to keep struggling when you feel like nothing is making a meaningful difference.

I’m not looking for generic advice or people telling me that everything will magically get better. I just want to be able to talk honestly about where I’m at without feeling judged or dismissed.

Has anyone else ever reached a point where they felt completely hopeless, even after trying to get help? What helped you get through a period when you genuinely couldn’t imagine things getting better?

I could really use some honest, compassionate perspectives right now.


r/mentalillness • • 21h ago

Advice Needed Giving yourself credit

5 Upvotes

Suffering from symptoms of mental illness can be extremely exhausting and I don't give myself enough credit for things I have done and gone through in dealing with such symptoms of depression, anxiety, ptsd, bipolar and so on. I was diagnosed as a kid with a learning disability and currently I'm being supported by SSD. So my question is....Does anyone else suffering like I am take credit or give themselves credit for managing everyday life considering the struggles we have?


r/mentalillness • • 12h ago

Discussion Impulsivity vs intrusiveness and a psychiatrist's responsibility to explain symptoms

2 Upvotes

I was today years old (almost 28) when I learned that when psychiatrists ask about impulsivity, they're probably talking about actions and not just impulsive thoughts.

Was just a realization I had when I was having impulsive thoughts to go off on someone via text but I was doing what I could to step back from the situation instead. So I looked it up and I might've been confusing intrusiveness with impulsivity. I do have impulsivity as well (usually with accidentally interrupting people).

And that's an issue I think that needs to be discussed. Psychiatrists ask you about XYZ symptoms but don't often explain what XYZ symptoms are. And typically, you - as the patient - are in a very vulnerable position. I'm personally uncomfortable asking for clarification in those situations. Am getting better, but it's a journey. But how can we address this? Should psychiatrists automatically be providing clarification about what the symptom means, instead of trusting their patient's knowledge?


r/mentalillness • • 13h ago

Discussion I'm behaving in a way at times that makes me worry I am developing psychosis, or at least have a mental disorder. Can anyone tell me what is happening to me?

2 Upvotes

I could type a wall of text but I'll try not to. Keeping it as simple as possible, over the years I found that my friends and people I've dated have done horrible things to each other or eventually me for the sake of some kind of selfishness (social connection, get with a friend's ex, turn them against their gf/bf when they're having relationship issues so they can hook up after, cave to pressure/lies from others to mistreat someone (usually with the goal of using the person in question in some way), etc)

I will say the good news is these people I disconnected from 1. did it to each other before and after me so I didn't take it entirely personally and 2. The moment i got away from them, most people liked me elsewhere who were in every way better people. But then those people eventually would do something selfish and shitty to someone close to them (not me). I was raised by an abuser, so while I haven't confirmed I do think I have some sort of kneejerk disconnect from people who do something horrible to someone they seemed to care about. I assume CPTSD.

I pretty much fully disconnected from making friends no matter how much people would try by around 2016, they even had a couple psuedo interventions for me. I don't trust anyone. I then went into a remote work job during covid and worked remote for around 7 years. During those years, I started to have outbursts.

So far as I know no trigger, I often can't even tell I'm doing it, it's almost like a fury induced trance until my dog or a stress ceiling I was reaching snap me out of it. I pace aimlessly around my house, and I basically lose myself in my own mind yelling at.... well no one. An empty seat on my couch as an example. Maybe its not different but it disturbs me more bc at least you can visualize someone sitting on a couch, but other times when I snap out of it I realize I'm screaming at like a desk lamp or the corner of a room.

Maybe not the right thing to quote here but Obi-Wan's frustrated "you were the chosen one" feels like the type of message that my mind is losing itself in. Angrily yelling at whoever my mind chose to, about how they were manipulated/used or what they did to me was because they didn't consider this or that or assumed the wrong thing or whatever.

This scream/rant "trance" most often lasts 5-15 minutes but I've reached 2 hours on multiple occasions. The only reason I'm not 100% scared is I don't actually see or think anyone is there, its more "screaming in that direction". I think I'm more scared about how there is no trigger and how I actually disappear into it.

What is this? Have people heard of this before? Is it psychosis or on it's way to being that?

EDIT: To clarify, the yelling is VERBAL. Not me screaming internally, I'm raising my voice-yelling in my house.


r/mentalillness • • 16h ago

Resources WHODAS 2.0 assessment?

2 Upvotes

Been struggling with trauma impairment for the last 5 1/2 years. I thought it was a mental illness that I just wasn’t working hard enough to resolve. I just came to the conclusion that I have something wrong with my brain. I did take this test and scored 142 which is I think pretty substantial I don’t know ChatGPT is like you need to get help. I’m like I’m trying to get help. I don’t even know where to go. I asked my Psych Doctor to refer me for neurology so I can get a functional MRI scan done to see if there is anything to see in my brain regarding the function decline that I have sustained for 5 1/2 years.

I suffer tremendously with task initiation impairment that compounds every time I take a break or reset . Every time I take a break at work I have to do Mental gymnastics before I can get myself to start if I can get myself to start. I lose that Battle a lot. My goal is to get a referral for occupational therapy in my home to help resolve through skill development maybe gaining some function back.

I also get stuck in negative thought loops when it comes to an injustice and an inability to predict the outcome of accountability to the person who did me wrong. I get stuck in it for months. I know I’m doing it. I could see I’m doing it. I know it’s not healthy. I don’t know how to stop it.

I have overdone Mental health treatments in an attempt to circumvent the issues. I’ve experienced while my mood has stabilized thank God. My functional impairment remains untouched. But I’m not giving up yet. I’ve worked too hard and too long to not try one more thing.

Any encouragement would be helpful because at this point, something has to change cause I can’t live like this for much more time.

This was after seeing my older brother on event in the ICU after a cardiac arrest event. This was in 2021 during full Covid protocol so we were sent up one by one to go and traumatize ourselves. There was no warning no discussion just go see him and come back when you’re done and I fled the building hyperventilating in tears and collapsed in the parking garage because I just did not have anything to prepare me for that site and the emotions that flooded my brain. That was the day I stopped functioning the way the old me did. I’ve been crushed with identity crisis after identity crisis because of this. I just want answers so that I can process what’s happening or happened and start healing.

I was on autopilot after and in my mind on the fuzzy channel of the TV in my mind for 2 full months. I thought this was treatment resistant depress. because I’m not actively grieving and I’ve done the trauma work. Why am I not getting better? Well I need someone specialized to evaluate and give me strategic tools and resources to circumvent the missing connections in my brain. At least that’s the way that I think of it.

I am very interested to see what my brain scan say when I do get them. I feel like I have a brain injury. has anyone else gone through neurology when their depression is not managed their typical and atypical treatment? Did your scans confirm your suspicions too?


r/mentalillness • • 11h ago

Advice Needed Need help identifying something

1 Upvotes

Hello people of r/mentalillness! There has been a situation happening with friend ever since I added them online. I’ve known this person irl for quite a while but when I added them online And talked to them with other online friends they acted completely different. Irl they are a sort of awkward person who stays in their friend group but is comfortable with them. However online he acts like he is psychopathic. Recently he claimed he had taken apart his mother’s engine so that he didn’t have to go to HS. However, the next day he was there. He very commonly lies about stuff he claims he has done. A bit ago he was in an Amazon warehouse And found a “talking box”. Please help me identify how I may help him And if And further context is needed I will be happy to provide. If this is not the right sub please direct me to a better one.


r/mentalillness • • 13h ago

Advice Needed Starting PHP tomorrow

1 Upvotes

Anyone have any advice on how to navigate a program? I’m kind of excited but also terrified of getting treatment. Likely being treated for bpd and ed along with depression/anxiety. Any tips or experiences to share? I don’t want to mess this up, my goal is to be healthy for my bf and dogs!!


r/mentalillness • • 14h ago

Venting I am exhausted

1 Upvotes

I know you've probably seen a lot of these posts, but I just wanted to vent a bit.

I suffer from clinical depression, seasonal depression, anxiety disorder. Every single day I wake up tired. I usually sleep 2-3 hours at nights. If I wake up during the night, I can't go back to sleep, but if it is day, it's a lot easier for some reason. I can't remember when was the last time I managed to sleep 8 whole hours.

I forget a lot. My best friend told me the gender of their upcoming baby, and I forgot. The other day I was watching a video, and I learned something cool about a video game. I tell a friend of mine, and he says I told him that trick a week ago???!

I don't have motivation for anything. I am obese and only xanax really help with weight and motivation.

How am I supposed to live like this? I struggle to find a job as you can imagine, and if that's not enough I am a software developer, and due to AI it's nearly impossible to find a job.

I am trying to see something positive in my life, but I really can't. I am trapped in a tunnel and there is no light.

Thank you for reading ❤️


r/mentalillness • • 15h ago

Advice Needed Possible Autism/ADHD in young duly woman. Is it worth getting tested? UK

1 Upvotes

I have questioned for a while if I have one of these. I’ve completed online quizzes ( I know they are not necessarily reliable) and seen stuff online which I relate to. I also have family members with both. It seems like a long and difficult process and if I were to go private, expensive. Is it worth it? Would it actually be helpful since I’m already out of school?


r/mentalillness • • 15h ago

Venting A lot of stuff

1 Upvotes

Lotta pointless stuff going on with me rn but

I really wanna cut myself and drink my own blood

I really wanna sleep and skip school and look at my phone all day and maybe play videogames and do NOTHIMG but lay in bed in the dark under my blanket and maybe goon. I wanna starve myself a lotttt. I hate myself because I don't study and I've already lost quite a bit of weight over 2 months from starving myself.


r/mentalillness • • 17h ago

Advice Needed I’m Obsessed With Someone, And It’s Ruining My Life

1 Upvotes

It hurts so much. Please help me.

I (17) never would have thought I could get this attached to someone, but here I am. I can’t stop thinking about her, and it’s tearing me apart.

I’m pretty new to deep friendships. I usually isolate as a coping mechanism, but I’ve been trying to push myself to be closer with people beyond surface level.

It all started a few weeks ago. We met in my Discord server. At first, she was actually the clingy one. If I didn’t message in the chat for a few minutes, she would be like, “Where did my name go?” We bonded quickly. At first, we were both obsessed with each other. We would message and play games all day. I really let her in.

A few days ago, she started messaging me less, and it’s been driving me crazy. I’ve told her I’m worried she hates me or thinks I’m annoying, and she’s reassured me that I’m still her favorite person. I sneak my phone into school and check i t every few minutes to see if she’s messaged me. This morning, I was freaking out and asking my irl friends for reassurance that she doesn’t hate me because she wasn’t responding to my text.

I think about her constantly all throughout the day. I just want her out of my head. What did I do wrong? Does she have a new favorite person?


r/mentalillness • • 22h ago

Advice Needed is this normal?

1 Upvotes

To sum it up, I do deal with severe depression and anxiety and have for around 9 years. This didn’t start until maybe 3(ish) years ago but only occasionally maybe twice a year I would just get extremely frustrated and have the almost uncontrollable urge to like just make the ugliest movements/ facial expressions I can, I have to actively tell myself to keep my hands down and act normal but I would just feel an urge to do it. I have never seen anyone post anything at all similar and have no idea what this could mean. Also, recently it’s been happening more often, maybe once every 2 months.

I have never posted before so apologies if i’m unorganized.