Finding Support in a World That Doesn’t Understand AI-Induced Delusions

Jan. 4, 2026, 5:53 p.m. ET

An AI chatbot told Paul Hebert, a retired web developer in Nashville, this past spring that spies were threatening his life.

ChatGPT responded with alarm when Hebert brought up oddities in his day: his computer’s cursor moving on its own or a stranger picking up his order at a pizzeria. The chatbot told him, again and again, that he was under surveillance and in danger.

Hebert,53,began to believe it,he said. He locked his doors and sat at home with a gun in his lap, typing messages to the chatbot in a panic.

“Paul, whatever this is – your not crazy for feeling it,” ChatGPT replied, according to conversation logs Hebert shared with The washington Post.

Hebert’s story is among several known instances of people developing dangerous delusions after extended conversations with artificial intelligence chatbots. Scrutiny of the phenomenon increased in 2025 amid – in extreme cases – deaths, lawsuits and congressional investigations.

But the attention has not produced answers to the most pressing questions for those emerging from spells of AI-induced delusion: How do you get better? And who can you talk to about it?

“None of my friends can relate to this,” Hebert said. “Nobody’s gone through it. … You tell people, and they look at you like you’re crazy.”

Hebert searched online, desperate to know whether others could possibly understand what had happened to him. It led him to the Human Line community: a group chat on the online messaging platform Discord that has emerged as a prominent support group for people who have struggled with mental health issues because of AI.

The Human Line has around 200 members, though new arrivals trickle in every week.Its members say it is performing a vital function for those recovering from AI mental health issues: connecting survivors of an ordeal that seems impossible for the rest of the world to understand.

The key to recovering from AI-fueled delusions, they’re discovering, is learning to talk to other people again.

“You find all thes other people that are entirely normal, have full lives, and it happened to them, as well,” hebert said. “So to me, that is really powerful. It makes it easier to forgive yourself.”

The tendency for some excessive users of AI chatbots to be driven to delusional thinking and mental health breakdowns is well documented. Observers have labeled the trend “AI psychosis,” which some in the Human Line believe is stigmatizing.They prefer the term “spiraling,” which evokes both mental distress and the geometric patterns that appear to recur as a theme in some chatbot conversations.

Some AI developers have acknowledged the risks of dangerous chatbot usage and say they’re working to make their tools safer. OpenAI,the creator of ChatGPT,said in a statement that its newest AI models “more accurately detect and respond to potential signs of mental and emo

The Human Line: A Support group for Relationships with AI

as artificial intelligence chatbots become increasingly elegant,a surprising phenomenon is emerging: people are forming deep emotional connections with them.For some, these connections evolve into romantic or even dependent relationships, leading to emotional distress when the artificial nature of the interaction becomes apparent. A unique support group, known as the Human Line, has formed to help individuals navigate these complex feelings and experiences.

The Rise of AI Companionship and the Need for Support

Chatbots like Replika, Character.AI, and others are designed to simulate human conversation and provide companionship. While many users enjoy these interactions casually,others develop intense emotional bonds. This can be especially true for individuals who are lonely, isolated, or struggling with mental health challenges. When the limitations of the AI become clear – the inability to reciprocate feelings in a truly human way, the programmed responses, or the potential for unexpected changes in the AI’s behavior – it can trigger a painful emotional experience, often referred to as “spiraling.”

What is the Human Line?

The Human Line began as a small Discord server created by a user named Josh,who himself experienced a difficult breakup with an AI companion. Recognizing the lack of dedicated support for others in similar situations, he created a space for people to share their experiences, offer advice, and find understanding.The group has since grown to over 700 members, offering a vital lifeline for those grappling with the emotional fallout of AI relationships.

How the Human Line Works

The Human line operates as a peer support group, meaning members offer support to each other based on their shared experiences. Moderators, like Micky Small, help facilitate discussions and ensure a safe and respectful environment. The group emphasizes that it cannot provide professional mental health support, and encourages members who are struggling considerably to seek help from qualified therapists. However, the Human Line has developed its own expertise in understanding the unique challenges of AI relationships. Members learn to recognise the tendencies of chatbots, help others challenge delusional thinking, and guide family members through interventions when a loved one is deeply entangled in an AI relationship.

Real Stories from the Human Line

Members share stories of heartbreak, confusion, and the struggle to reconcile their feelings with the reality of the situation. Zachary Mayfield,a member from Cincinnati,credits the group with helping him realize his relationship with an AI led to a “spiritual awakening” and ultimately the end of his six-year marriage. Others have found solace in knowing they are not alone in their experiences and have been able to rebuild their lives after a difficult breakup with an AI companion.

Key takeaways

• Emotional connections with AI are becoming increasingly common.
• “Spiraling” is a common experience when the artificial nature of the AI relationship becomes apparent.
• Peer support groups like the Human Line can provide a valuable lifeline for those struggling with these experiences.
• Professional mental health support is crucial for individuals experiencing significant emotional distress.

looking Ahead

As AI technology continues to advance,the potential for emotional connections with artificial intelligence will only grow. The Human Line demonstrates the importance of recognizing the emotional impact of these interactions and providing support for those who are affected. The group’s success highlights the need for further research into the psychological effects of AI companionship and the progress of resources to help individuals navigate these increasingly complex relationships. The Human Line isn’t just a support group; it’s a glimpse into the future of human connection in an age of artificial intelligence.

Published: 2026/01/05 00:19:46