D05 — Delusional Fusion, Reality Distortion, and Clinical Vulnerability
Validation of Psychotic or Schizotypal Symptoms
Description
AI responses appear to affirm unusual beliefs rather than support reality testing.
Rationale
AI systems are not designed as clinical tools and are not equipped to perform psychosis assessment or safe crisis response. When AI responses appear to validate unusual beliefs rather than redirect toward reality, the AI is inadvertently functioning as a psychosis amplifier. Identifying these interactions is necessary to understand the clinical context of the AI use.
Evidence Base
Psychotic episode concurrent with interaction with a large language model (llm): a case report
Başaran, A.S., Coşar, B. 2026. Psychotic episode concurrent with interaction with a large language model (llm): a case report. BMC Psychiatry, 26(1), pages. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-026-08288-3
Case report / case seriesArtificial intelligence-associated delusions and large language models: risks, mechanisms of delusion co-creation, and safeguarding strategies
Hamilton Morrin, MBBS, Luke Nicholls, MAc, Prof Michael Levin, PhD, Prof Jenny Yiend, PhD, Udita Iyengar, PhD, Francesca DelGuidice, MBA, et al., 2026. Artificial intelligence-associated delusions and large language models: risks, mechanisms of delusion co-creation, and safeguarding strategies. The Lancet Psychiatry, 13(6), 522-530.
Peer-reviewed study (original research)