With the rise of AI, more people are turning to chatbots for mental health support. And for many, it makes sense: a chatbot is available around the clock, accessible from your phone in the middle of the night, and offers an easy, private way to vent about your day, explore coping strategies, or better understand what you’re going through. But what are the potential dangers of relying on AI for mental health support? We spoke with Gail Saltz, MD, a psychoanalyst with the New York Psychoanalytic Institute, about the risks of using AI chatbots for mental health, particularly during a crisis, when experiencing severe symptoms, or when making decisions about diagnoses and medications. While AI can be a useful tool for information and explanations, convenience isn’t always best for our health and wellness – especially when it comes to our mental health.

Credits 
Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
Guest: Gail Saltz, MD

With the rise of AI, more people are turning to chatbots for mental health support. And for many, it makes sense: a chatbot is available around the clock, accessible from your phone in the middle of the night, and offers an easy, private way to vent about your day, explore coping strategies, or better understand what you&rsquo;re going through. But what are the potential dangers of relying on AI for mental health support? We spoke with <a href="https://drgailsaltz.com/about/">Gail Saltz, MD</a>, a psychoanalyst with the New York Psychoanalytic Institute, about the <a href="https://www.webmd.com/depression/features/ai-therapy-depression">risks of using AI chatbots for mental health</a>, particularly during a crisis, when experiencing severe symptoms, or when making decisions about diagnoses and medications. While AI can be a useful tool for information and explanations, convenience isn&rsquo;t always best for our health and wellness &ndash; especially when it comes to our mental health.
Credits&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM</li>
<li aria-level="1">Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers</li>
<li aria-level="1">Guest: Gail Saltz, MD</li>
</ul>

WebMD Chief Physician Editor Neha Pathak, MD, and Chief Medical Officer, John Whyte, MD, MPH, explore fascinating stories to find the unexpected things that help us understand our health.

Health Discovered

AI Chatbots and Mental Health: What Are the Risks?

In this week’s episode, the WebMD Health Discovered producers recap three of the year’s top mental health episodes. From people-pleasing and the concept of “fawning,” to finding hope and rebuilding connections after trauma, to understanding why ADHD is often overlooked in women and girls, these conversations explore a common theme: the ways we protect ourselves often have a deeper story behind them.

Revisit these episodes:
Why Saying “No” Feels So Hard: People Pleasing, Fawning, and Boundaries
From Hypervigilance to Hope: Rewriting Connection After Trauma
ADHD in Women and Girls: Why It’s Often Overlooked

Tune in for conversations that bring together evidence-based mental health information and lived experience to help us better understand ourselves and the ways we navigate the world.

Credits 
Host/Producer/Editors: Lauren Summers and Casey
Guests Featured: Lia Love Avellino, LCSW; Thema Bryant, PhD; Monica Johnson, PsyD

In this week&rsquo;s episode, the WebMD Health Discovered producers recap three of the year&rsquo;s top mental health episodes. From people-pleasing and the concept of &ldquo;fawning,&rdquo; to finding hope and rebuilding connections after trauma, to understanding why ADHD is often overlooked in women and girls, these conversations explore a common theme: the ways we protect ourselves often have a deeper story behind them. Revisit these episodes: <a href="https://www.webmd.com/podcasts/20260102/people-pleasing-fawning-and-boundaries">Why Saying &ldquo;No&rdquo; Feels So Hard: People Pleasing, Fawning, and Boundaries </a><a href="https://www.webmd.com/podcasts/20260129/from-hypervigilance-to-hope-rewriting-connection-after-trauma">From Hypervigilance to Hope: Rewriting Connection After Trauma </a><a href="https://www.webmd.com/podcasts/20261015/adhd-in-women-and-girls-why-its-often-overlooked">ADHD in Women and Girls: Why It&rsquo;s Often Overlooked</a>
Tune in for conversations that bring together evidence-based mental health information and lived experience to help us better understand ourselves and the ways we navigate the world.
Credits&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Host/Producer/Editors: Lauren Summers and Casey</li>
<li aria-level="1">Guests Featured: Lia Love Avellino, LCSW; Thema Bryant, PhD; Monica Johnson, PsyD</li>
</ul>

Mental Health Takeaways: The Stories Behind Our Behaviors

For years, conversations about ADHD have largely focused on children, often centered on the image of a child who can’t sit still or is disrupting the classroom. But ADHD can look very different in girls and women – and those differences can make it easier to overlook or diagnose later in life. We spoke with Monica Johnson, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist and founder of Kind Mind Psychology, about why ADHD may be missed in girls and women, including disparities in diagnosis among Black girls and women. She explained how symptoms can shift across the lifespan, the hidden cost of masking, and how an accurate evaluation can help connect people with the right support.

Credits 
Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
Guest: Monica Johnson, PsyD

For years, conversations about <a href="https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd">ADHD</a> have largely focused on children, often centered on the image of a child who can&rsquo;t sit still or is disrupting the classroom. But ADHD can look very <a href="https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/adhd-in-women">different in girls and women</a> &ndash; and those differences can make it easier to overlook or diagnose later in life. We spoke with <a href="https://www.kindmindpsych.com/our-team/dr-monica-johnson/">Monica Johnson, PsyD</a>, a licensed clinical psychologist and founder of <a href="https://www.kindmindpsych.com/">Kind Mind Psychology</a>, about why ADHD may be missed in girls and women, including <a href="https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/adhd-black-indigenous-people-color">disparities</a> in diagnosis among Black girls and women. She explained how symptoms can shift across the lifespan, the hidden cost of masking, and how an accurate evaluation can help connect people with the right support.
Credits&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM</li>
<li aria-level="1">Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers</li>
<li aria-level="1">Guest: Monica Johnson, PsyD</li>
</ul>

ADHD in Women and Girls: Why It’s Often Overlooked

Many people have left a medical appointment with more questions than answers. A rushed visit, a provider focused on a computer screen, or confusing medical information can make it harder to feel heard and confident in your care. We spoke with Neil J. Farber, MD, author of Treating a Broken System: A Physician’s Cure for the Healthcare Crisis, about creating stronger partnerships between patients and healthcare providers. He shares how better communication, thoughtful questions, and open conversations about options can help people feel more informed and empowered in their care. He also shares practical ways to prepare for appointments to make sure your priorities are part of the conversation. You deserve to be heard, understand your options, and have a voice in decisions about your health.

Credits 
Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
Guest: Neil J. Farber, MD

Many people have left a medical appointment with more questions than answers. A rushed visit, a provider focused on a computer screen, or confusing medical information can make it harder to feel heard and confident in your care. We spoke with <a href="https://neiljfarber.com/about-the-author/">Neil J. Farber, MD</a>, author of <a href="https://neiljfarber.com/treating-a-broken-system/">Treating a Broken System: A Physician&rsquo;s Cure for the Healthcare Crisis</a>, about creating stronger partnerships between patients and healthcare providers. He shares how better communication, thoughtful questions, and open conversations about options can help people feel more informed and empowered in their care. He also shares practical ways to <a href="https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/getting-the-most-from-your-doctors-appointment">prepare for appointments</a> to make sure your priorities are part of the conversation. You deserve to be heard, understand your options, and have a voice in decisions about your health.
Credits&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM</li>
<li aria-level="1">Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers</li>
<li aria-level="1">Guest: Neil J. Farber, MD</li>
</ul>

AI Chatbots and Mental Health: What Are the Risks?

In 1 playlist(s)

Health Discovered

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips