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I have used Woebot to escape the grasp of depression. Multiple life challenges occurred at the same time (health issues, death, divorce, restructuration, etc...

I have used Woebot to escape the grasp of depression. Multiple life challenges occurred at the same time (health issues, death, divorce, restructuration, etc...). Woebot helped me change thought patterns that kept me from getting help and it could do so at any time of the day or night. When going to see your counsellor is too hard Woebot is only a ping away and is free. Now not to discount your point that indeed sometimes you need words of encouragement or humans to understand complex situations but there is room for both in the grand scheme of things.

ghostbrainalpha 9y ago
I agree with you. Although it seems intuitive that only a human could assist with complex mental issues, the mind is very strange and susceptible to these hacks. There's no reason small children should feel comforted by a stuffed animal, but they do, and it can provide an experience very much like human contact for them. I went through several bouts of extreme depression, and I might only be alive because I discovered the joy of breaking ceramic plates. I have no idea why the destruction of dinnerware gives me so much joy, but if things ever get too much for me, I just go to target and buy a few dozen dishes. I then take them to my local dump, which has a cement cliff you throw your trash over into the pit. I toss the plates like frisbees, and watch them sale 20 or 30 feet to the cement floor. When they crash they make a tremendous noise, like when a server accidentally drops a bunch of dishes in the kitchen at a restaurant. Except out at the dump the sound is much much louder and cleaner. Sometimes I throw one plate up really high like a clay pigeon and try to hit it with a second plate, which I only have a couple times. I've probably wasted several thousand dollars doing this. The point of my long ramble is that strange things can save you from depression. There is no reason a chat bot can't work for some people.
- jderick 9y ago
  You can probably find cheaper dinnerware at goodwill.
- friendly_chap 9y ago
  I am not a psychologist but to me it seems like you have anger issues perhaps and you direct that to your plates which you can destroy? Anger always finds a target, and when you don't allow yourself to be angry at someone or something the target becomes yourself and (mostly mental) illness results.
  - sincerely 9y ago
    >I am not a psychologist Clearly.
    - friendly_chap 9y ago
      Thanks for the loving kindness. However clumsy was my attempt it stemmed from good will - I myself managed to cure myself out of extreme suffering (and near-death) by realizing, accepting and letting go of my anger.
  - i80and 9y ago
    It's not polite to armchair-analyze strangers, especially without training. Please refrain.
    - friendly_chap 9y ago
      We are exchanging ideas here. I'm sure if the parent wanted to avoid getting armchair analysed by strangers on the internet then he would not post his story to strangers on the internet.
- minsight 9y ago
  The money isn't wasted if it gives you joy when you most need it.

ghostbrainalpha 9y ago

I agree with you. Although it seems intuitive that only a human could assist with complex mental issues, the mind is very strange and susceptible to these hacks. There's no reason small children should feel comforted by a stuffed animal, but they do, and it can provide an experience very much like human contact for them. I went through several bouts of extreme depression, and I might only be alive because I discovered the joy of breaking ceramic plates. I have no idea why the destruction of dinnerware gives me so much joy, but if things ever get too much for me, I just go to target and buy a few dozen dishes. I then take them to my local dump, which has a cement cliff you throw your trash over into the pit. I toss the plates like frisbees, and watch them sale 20 or 30 feet to the cement floor. When they crash they make a tremendous noise, like when a server accidentally drops a bunch of dishes in the kitchen at a restaurant. Except out at the dump the sound is much much louder and cleaner. Sometimes I throw one plate up really high like a clay pigeon and try to hit it with a second plate, which I only have a couple times. I've probably wasted several thousand dollars doing this. The point of my long ramble is that strange things can save you from depression. There is no reason a chat bot can't work for some people.

jderick 9y ago
You can probably find cheaper dinnerware at goodwill.
friendly_chap 9y ago
I am not a psychologist but to me it seems like you have anger issues perhaps and you direct that to your plates which you can destroy? Anger always finds a target, and when you don't allow yourself to be angry at someone or something the target becomes yourself and (mostly mental) illness results.
- sincerely 9y ago
  >I am not a psychologist Clearly.
  - friendly_chap 9y ago
    Thanks for the loving kindness. However clumsy was my attempt it stemmed from good will - I myself managed to cure myself out of extreme suffering (and near-death) by realizing, accepting and letting go of my anger.
- i80and 9y ago
  It's not polite to armchair-analyze strangers, especially without training. Please refrain.
  - friendly_chap 9y ago
    We are exchanging ideas here. I'm sure if the parent wanted to avoid getting armchair analysed by strangers on the internet then he would not post his story to strangers on the internet.
minsight 9y ago
The money isn't wasted if it gives you joy when you most need it.