27-year-old woman says ChatGPT helped detect cancer one year before doctors
Several months later, Garnreiter began to feel exhausted more often and noticed pain in her chest. A second round of medical consultations finally led to a scan, which revealed a large mass in her left lung. Doctors diagnosed her with Hodgkin lymphoma, a rare form of blood cancer that affects the white blood cells.Now preparing for chemotherapy, Garnreiter says she never imagined an AI tool would identify something so critical before medical systems caught on. It was shocking for her to believe. "I just didn't want my family to go through this all over again,' she said.advertisementThough rare, Hodgkin lymphoma has a relatively high recovery rate when diagnosed early. According to health experts, the five-year survival rate is over 80 per cent. Typical symptoms include fatigue, abdominal discomfort, itchy skin, night sweats, and fever — many of which Garnreiter experienced.As she moves ahead with treatment, she hopes her story encourages people to trust their instincts and not hesitate to seek further opinions when something feels wrong. "It's really important to listen to our bodies,' she said. 'Sometimes we tend to lose our connection with our inner self."While ChatGPT is not a replacement for medical advice, Garnreiter's experience adds to the growing conversation about how AI may play a role in early symptom recognition — especially in cases where conventional diagnosis takes time.
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Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Teens turn to AI chatbots for emotional bonding; it's risky romance, warn psychologists
Hyderabad: What began as casual scrolling, streaming, or chatting has spiralled into something deeper—and far more complex. Across Telangana, mental health professionals are raising red flags over an emerging crisis: Young people are not just using the internet for entertainment—they are forming emotional and romantic bonds with AI chatbots and virtual personas. In therapy rooms across Hyderabad and beyond, this new form of digital intimacy is surfacing with increasing frequency. The screen is no longer a boundary. For many, it's a refuge. And for some, a companion. Take the case of a 12-year-old girl who developed a deep emotional connection with ChatGPT. She affectionately named the AI 'Chinna' (meaning little one in Telugu) and shaped it into a confidante. "She would vent everything to ChatGPT—issues with her parents, school, friendships," said Dr Nithin Kondapuram, senior consultant psychiatrist at Aster Prime Hospital. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad "This is not isolated. On any given day, I see around 15 young patients with anxiety or depression, and five of them exhibit emotional attachment to AI tools," he said. In another case, a 22-year-old man created a romantic fantasy world with an AI chatbot. He imagined the bot as his girlfriend, asked it for gifts, and had it play love songs tailored to their 'relationship'. "For him, the AI wasn't code—it was a silent partner who never judged. It gave him emotional security he couldn't find in real life," Dr Nithin said. Such stories are becoming more common, and they aren't restricted to urban areas. Dr Gauthami Nagabhirava, a senior psychiatrist at Kamineni Hospitals, has seen similar patterns emerge in rural communities. "In one rural case, a 12-year-old girl bonded with an AI companion and began accessing inappropriate content online while her mother was away at work. Eventually, she started inviting male friends home without supervision," she said. Another case involved a teenage girl who lashed out during therapy after creating an imaginary AI companion. "She accused her parents of stifling her freedom, suddenly declared herself bisexual, and expressed a strong desire to move abroad. Her identity was based purely on perception. She was too inexperienced to even understand what her orientation truly was," Dr Gauthami elaborated. Dr C Virender, a psychologist, recounted the story of a 25-year-old woman who sought emotional guidance from an AI chatbot about a male colleague she admired. "She would describe his personality to the AI, ask what kind of woman he might like, or how she should dress to attract him," he said. Using these responses, she would alter her behaviour around him. "Eventually, the man accused her of stalking. She was devastated and began to spiral at work. She had become so reliant on the AI that real human interactions felt threatening," he recalled. Mental health professionals agree that the roots of this digital dependence lie in loneliness, fear of judgment, low self-esteem, and the absence of healthy social interaction—all exacerbated by nuclear family structures and limited parental supervision. "Young people escape into digital realms where they feel accepted and unchallenged," said Dr Nithin. "Our job is to reintroduce them to the real world gently. We assign them small real-life tasks—like visiting a local shop or spending time in a metro station—to help rebuild their confidence." But in some cases, efforts to curb digital addiction can backfire. According to Dr Gauthami, parents often make the mistake of sending affected children to highly regulated hostels with strict ban on mobile usage. "This only worsens their condition and causes irreparable damage to already fragile minds," she warned. The issue is compounded among students facing academic and career pressure. Dr Uma Shankar, a psychiatry professor at a govt medical college in Maheshwaram, said rural engineering students are particularly vulnerable. "They fail exams, don't get placed in companies, and feel like they're letting everyone down. That emotional burden drives them into digital addiction. It becomes an escape hatch," she explained. The scale of the problem is reflected in national data. A Nimhans survey conducted in six major cities, including Hyderabad, flagged concerning patterns in digital behaviour. A separate fact sheet from the Centre for Economic and Social Studies found that nearly 19% of people aged 21–24 experience mental health issues by age 29—primarily anxiety and depression. What's driving this growing trend isn't just the allure of the screen—but the emotional responsiveness of AI itself. With their friendly tone, prompt replies, and tireless attention, AI chatbots are becoming something more than tools. "As AI becomes more human-like, these emotional entanglements will only grow. It's no longer science fiction. It's already happening—quietly, in homes, classrooms, and clinics," experts warned. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Start budgeting to be happier: New study reveals surprising link between smart money management and mental health
A Lifeline Amid Rising Living Costs You Might Also Like: Trusting ChatGPT with your mental health? Experts warn it might be fueling delusions Why Men Benefit More And Why That's Concerning Building a Foundation for the Future You Might Also Like: Drowning in depression and burnout, millennial employee adopts Gen Z tactic for mental health In an eye-opening new study, finance experts at the University of South Australia have found a surprisingly strong connection between everyday financial habits and mental wellbeing . From regular savings to timely credit card repayments, the research suggests that your wallet and your mind may be more closely linked than you study titled 'Understanding the Effect of Financial Behaviour on Mental Health: Evidence From Australia', based on data from the long-running Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey, followed over 17,000 Australians aged 15 and older across two decades. Researchers discovered that individuals who followed stable financial routines — especially those who saved consistently and paid off credit card debt on time — reported not only better mental health, but also higher energy levels, stronger social ties, and greater overall life Rajabrata Banerjee, an expert in applied economics and a member of UniSA's Centre for Markets, Values and Inclusion, explains that while the stress of debt has long been known to negatively affect mental health, less attention has been paid to the positive impact of proactive money habits 'We already know that having high debt and low savings has a negative impact on mental health,' Banerjee said in the university's official release. 'But we wanted to learn more about the behaviors — like how often someone saves or pays off debt — that might reduce financial strain and improve wellbeing.'The findings couldn't be more timely. With Australians grappling with rising utility bills and persistent cost-of-living pressures, the financial strain is more real than ever, especially for younger people. The study found that sharp increases in the cost of electricity, gas and water hit younger individuals hardest, since they typically have lower savings and higher levels of debt. This in turn affects their ability to save or pay off debt, triggering a cycle of financial stress and mental the benefits of healthy money habits weren't exclusive to any particular income group. Whether someone earned a little or a lot, the study showed that consistent saving and debt management offered a mental health boost. Even small savings could make a meaningful difference when done notable finding was the gender gap in financial impact . 'The positive effect of savings on mental health was stronger for men than for women,' said Banerjee. This may reflect deeper societal patterns where men are still more often the primary financial decision-makers in households, a factor that can exacerbate gender disparities in both money management and mental health study makes a compelling case for rethinking personal finance not just as an economic tool, but as a mental health strategy. Financial hardship, Banerjee warns, can lead to a loss of independence, long-term insecurity, and even continuous debt cycles.'When people are financially strained, they often miss out on investing in their future, and that adds to a sense of hopelessness,' he noted. 'But healthy financial behaviors create stability, open doors, and significantly reduce mental stress.'So while therapy, mindfulness, and self-care remain essential to wellbeing, don't underestimate the quiet power of consistent savings and timely bill payments. Sometimes, peace of mind begins with a balance sheet.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Back-to-school 2025: 5 smart strategies every US student should know before the first bell
As August edges into September, millions of students across the United States begin the annual pilgrimage back to classrooms—some with excitement, others with anxiety, and many with a bit of both. While the back-to-school season varies from state to state—starting as early as late July in southern districts and extending into mid-September in parts of the Northeast—it marks a universal transition. It's a reset not just of routines, but of mindsets, habits, and ambitions. And in 2025, navigating this shift requires more than just fresh notebooks and sharpened pencils. This year brings with it heightened academic expectations, the deepening integration of AI in education, a renewed national focus on student mental health, and the continued balancing act between screen time and face-to-face interaction. For students and parents alike, the return to school in 2025 is less about returning to 'normal' and more about adapting intelligently to the new demands of learning—and living—in a post-pandemic, hyperconnected world. 1. Rebuilding routines without the burnout Summer's late nights and unscheduled days don't yield easily to the 6:30 a.m. alarm. For students—especially adolescents whose biological sleep clocks skew later—this transition can be jarring. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Resmed AirSense 11 with flat 20% off ResMed Buy Now Undo Experts recommend beginning the reset at least a week in advance. Gradually shifting sleep schedules, limiting screen exposure after dusk, and introducing light physical activity in the morning can help recalibrate the body's rhythm. But beyond sleep, daily structure matters. Creating realistic time blocks for studying, unwinding, and digital detoxes is critical. Students who map out their weeks early often find they're less overwhelmed once assignments and assessments pile up. Parents, too, benefit from establishing predictable after-school routines, balancing support with autonomy. 2. Tech is here to stay—use it smartly The rise of generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Grammarly, and Notion AI has reshaped the way students learn, write, and even organize their time. While some schools have implemented restrictions or AI-use policies, others are encouraging responsible engagement. For high school and college students, using AI tools as learning companions—rather than shortcuts—can foster deeper understanding. Summarizing complex readings, generating study questions, or checking grammar can be productive uses. But over-reliance can dull original thinking. Parents and educators must help students differentiate between aid and avoidance. And with most schoolwork now living online—from Canvas to Google Classroom—it's imperative to maintain digital hygiene. Calendar syncing, file backups, and note organization shouldn't be afterthoughts—they are essential academic skills in their own right. 3. The mental health conversation is no longer optional One of the most significant shifts in American education over the past five years is the growing normalization of mental health dialogue. Yet, a 2024 CDC report revealed that nearly 1 in 3 high school students still experience persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness—a figure that remains alarmingly unchanged. Schools are responding with expanded counseling services, SEL (social-emotional learning) periods, and mindfulness initiatives. But access and quality still vary widely by zip code. For students, learning to identify early signs of burnout, social anxiety, or depression is as vital as understanding algebra. Journaling, seeking peer support, or speaking to a trusted adult are no longer 'extra' practices—they are necessary tools for survival and success. 4. Navigating academic pressure and setting realistic goals The pressure to perform—amplified by college admissions stress, competitive GPAs, and stacked extracurriculars—can overshadow the joy of learning. Back-to-school 2025 is an opportunity to recalibrate. Rather than fixating solely on grades or rankings, students should focus on progress over perfection. Micro-goals, such as improving a study habit or engaging more in class discussions, often lead to better outcomes than lofty, undefined resolutions. Parents play a key role here: emphasizing effort over outcomes, praising resilience instead of perfection, and allowing space for occasional failure can buffer students against academic anxiety. 5. Making space for connection, offline After years of hybrid models, disrupted schedules, and digital-first friendships, many students are relearning how to engage in person. This social reset isn't easy for everyone. For some, the cafeteria is more intimidating than the classroom. Encouraging small, consistent social risks—joining a club, initiating group study sessions, or even just greeting seatmates—can help rebuild confidence. Schools that foster belonging through peer mentorship, inclusive events, and advisory periods often see better academic and emotional outcomes. Not just back to school, forward with intention Back-to-school 2025 isn't just a return to routine—it's a re-entry into an educational system undergoing quiet but seismic shifts. For students, this year is a chance to be intentional: about how they manage time, embrace tech, engage with peers, and protect their mental well-being. For parents, it's a moment to let go of outdated metrics of success and tune in to what their children truly need to thrive—not just in school, but in life. If approached with clarity, compassion, and a touch of courage, this school year can be more than just another grind. It can be a foundation for something meaningful, resilient, and real. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
