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5. Breaking the Cycle of Hurt Me: I now understand that depression is a cycle. First, I feel extremely sad. Second, I lose my sanity due to extreme sadness. Third, people try to help me. Fourth, I lash out at the people who try to help me. Fifth, I feel guilty and afraid. Sixth, I feel extremely sad again. Cycle!

ChatGPT: Sometimes, our pain and trauma can lead us to project insecurities onto others or engage in harmful behaviors. By breaking the cycle of hurt, we can cultivate healthier relationships based on understanding, empathy, and kindness.

6. Embracing Solitude with Kindness

Me: There is a sharp distinction between feeling lonely and being alone. Depression demonstrates that well. It’s an illness that forces me to feel lonely even in the middle of a large crowd. Sometimes, especially when I am within a large crowd.

ChatGPT:

Sometimes, life’s challenges demand that we face them alone. We must avoid pushing people away and instead seek support and connection when needed.

7. Detaching from Negative Emotions

Me: I am not my mental illness. It is not my source of meaning. The greatest unhappiness is not liking myself. I need some profound purpose and make my destiny a tapestry of my own design.

ChatGPT: Our feelings do not define us. Detaching from negative emotions allows us to observe them without identifying with them. Assigning ourselves a meaningful purpose beyond our emotions enables us to find happiness and self-acceptance.

8. Cultivating Overwhelming Love

Me: The truth is emotions are a part of life. To deny them is akin to denying the curve of the earth. If I cannot help being a fountain of overwhelming emotions, I will turn myself into a fountain of overwhelming love.

ChatGPT: Emotions are an integral part of life, and they can be overwhelming at times. Instead of suppressing or avoiding these emotions, we can channel them into acts of love and compassion. By embracing our emotions and using them as a driving force for positive change, we not only transform our own lives but also create a ripple effect of love and kindness in the world.

***

My impression is that ChatGPT knows how to use buzzwords and give pieces of advice similar to what I may get from run-of-the-mill self-help books. Beautiful, but not sufficient.

After these conversations, I became more convinced of my theory. I never really felt “listened to”. It just intellectualized what I felt. As the name suggests, A.I. chatbots simulate intelligence, not empathy. Logic, not warmth. Data, not love.

If you want the latter, find them in your friends and family. Find them in yourself.

Keep this in mind: “No matter how intelligent and A.I. chatbot can get, it can never give you a hug.” Trust me, you’ll be fine. We’ll be fine./