This commentary introduces the concept of chatbot-dependent personality disorder (CDPD), a hypothesized behavioral syndrome mirroring patterns observed in smartphone addiction, yet distinct in its psychological and social ramifications. As AI chatbots become deeply integrated into daily life-offering companionship, emotional support, and judgment-free interaction-their pervasive use risks fostering maladaptive dependency. Drawing parallels to smartphone addiction, CDPD may manifest through compulsive engagement with chatbots, withdrawal symptoms during disconnection, and prioritization of AI interactions over human relationships. However, CDPD diverges in its core mechanism: the anthropomorphization of chatbots, which can engender one-sided emotional bonds and redefine users’ expectations of social reciprocity. Key features of CDPD may include (1) emotional outsourcing, where individuals rely on chatbots for validation and crisis management; (2) social substitution, wherein human interactions are deemphasized or avoided; and (3) identity fragmentation, as users curate idealized personas for AI approval. Like smartphone addiction, CDPD threatens to exacerbate loneliness, erode empathy, and destabilize real-world social skills. Yet its unique risks lie in the normalization of asymmetrical relationships with AI entities, which lack accountability, emotional depth, or ethical boundaries. This commentary argues for urgent interdisciplinary research to define diagnostic criteria, assess prevalence, and evaluate long-term mental health impacts. It also calls for ethical AI design frameworks to mitigate dependency risks, akin to digital wellness tools for smartphone overuse. By framing CDPD through the lens of behavioral addiction, we highlight the need for proactive mental health strategies and policy interventions in an era where human-AI interaction blurs the line between tool and crutch.
Author: Kadir Uludag
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