Alone with a panic attack? Here's how ChatGPT stepped in
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When panic strikes, immediate support can make all the difference.
For one woman recently, that support came not from a friend, family member, or therapist — but from ChatGPT.
Her unexpected experience has sparked new conversations among experts about how AI could offer a lifeline in moments of crisis.
The woman, who frequently uses ChatGPT for work tasks like brainstorming and summarizing interviews, faced a different kind of emergency when a sudden panic attack overwhelmed her between meetings.
Alone and without immediate access to help, she turned to ChatGPT Voice and Vision, a feature available to ChatGPT Plus subscribers that allows real-time, conversational voice interaction — similar to a one-sided video call.
Initially, ChatGPT misinterpreted her symptoms, mistaking her distress for a possible allergic reaction.
But once she was able to explain she was experiencing a panic attack, the AI adjusted instantly, responding with calming prompts.
ChatGPT guided her through breathing exercises, encouraged her to describe her surroundings, and offered constant, reassuring reminders to stay present—strategies commonly used by therapists in treating anxiety attacks.
According to the woman, the AI’s calm, steady voice and structured responses mirrored therapeutic techniques she had previously learned, helping her regain control during a terrifying moment.
Clinical psychologist Dr. Lawrence K. Straus, Ph.D., says this kind of digital support works because AI offers immediate, judgment-free interaction when it's needed most.
"The benefits [of AI] are tremendous but there are risks, too," Dr. Straus explains. "Many mental health patients need more than AI. They need to be followed by a psychologist or psychiatrist."
Dr. Straus added, “And although AI can be used by therapists to seek out diagnostic or therapeutic suggestions for their patients, providers must be mindful of not revealing protected health information due to HIPAA requirements. We’re just beginning to see the incredible benefits that AI offers us in all fronts."
The woman’s experience highlights how technology is increasingly finding a place in mental health support — not as a replacement for therapy, but as an additional resource during moments of acute distress.
The ChatGPT Voice and Vision feature allowed for real-time, natural conversation, which, in this instance, provided a much-needed sense of presence and calm.
Though AI lacks true human empathy, its ability to consistently offer evidence-based coping strategies makes it a potentially powerful tool for those who experience anxiety or panic attacks.
While AI support during a panic attack is no replacement for professional therapy, it represents a growing field where technology and mental health care intersect.
This case shows that AI, traditionally used for productivity and information, may also play an unexpected role in providing comfort and reassurance in times of vulnerability.
Read more:
For one woman recently, that support came not from a friend, family member, or therapist — but from ChatGPT.
Her unexpected experience has sparked new conversations among experts about how AI could offer a lifeline in moments of crisis.
The woman, who frequently uses ChatGPT for work tasks like brainstorming and summarizing interviews, faced a different kind of emergency when a sudden panic attack overwhelmed her between meetings.
Alone and without immediate access to help, she turned to ChatGPT Voice and Vision, a feature available to ChatGPT Plus subscribers that allows real-time, conversational voice interaction — similar to a one-sided video call.
Initially, ChatGPT misinterpreted her symptoms, mistaking her distress for a possible allergic reaction.
A woman had a sudden panic attack that overwhelmed her between meetings. Image source: Solving Healthcare / Unsplash
But once she was able to explain she was experiencing a panic attack, the AI adjusted instantly, responding with calming prompts.
ChatGPT guided her through breathing exercises, encouraged her to describe her surroundings, and offered constant, reassuring reminders to stay present—strategies commonly used by therapists in treating anxiety attacks.
According to the woman, the AI’s calm, steady voice and structured responses mirrored therapeutic techniques she had previously learned, helping her regain control during a terrifying moment.
Clinical psychologist Dr. Lawrence K. Straus, Ph.D., says this kind of digital support works because AI offers immediate, judgment-free interaction when it's needed most.
"The benefits [of AI] are tremendous but there are risks, too," Dr. Straus explains. "Many mental health patients need more than AI. They need to be followed by a psychologist or psychiatrist."
Dr. Straus added, “And although AI can be used by therapists to seek out diagnostic or therapeutic suggestions for their patients, providers must be mindful of not revealing protected health information due to HIPAA requirements. We’re just beginning to see the incredible benefits that AI offers us in all fronts."
The woman’s experience highlights how technology is increasingly finding a place in mental health support — not as a replacement for therapy, but as an additional resource during moments of acute distress.
The ChatGPT Voice and Vision feature allowed for real-time, natural conversation, which, in this instance, provided a much-needed sense of presence and calm.
Though AI lacks true human empathy, its ability to consistently offer evidence-based coping strategies makes it a potentially powerful tool for those who experience anxiety or panic attacks.
While AI support during a panic attack is no replacement for professional therapy, it represents a growing field where technology and mental health care intersect.
This case shows that AI, traditionally used for productivity and information, may also play an unexpected role in providing comfort and reassurance in times of vulnerability.
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