Latest news with #DrAlexandreMachado
Khaleej Times
12-07-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
UAE experts warn AI may feel like 'real' therapist, delays mental health help
For 27-year-old Sara (name changed upon request), ChatGPT was a good resource for work-related help. She used it for fact-checking, clarifying ideas, and getting help on the go. However, it soon began to shift to something more. 'I began using it during emotionally tough situations at work, in the family and even in relationships,' she said. 'I love how it analyses everything like it reads my mind. It gives me another perspective, and I love the reassurance I get from it. It makes me feel like my feelings are valid.' Over time, Sara started using ChatGPT to reflect on her habits and personality. 'It became like a coach, helping me understand myself better,' she said. 'I'd love to go to therapy one day even if it's just for self-awareness. However, therapy can be expensive and out of budget sometimes. It's really comforting to have something private, discreet, and available 24/7. Especially when I feel a panic attack coming on.' Experts say that the increasing trend of youngsters turning to ChatGPT for mental support is 'not surprising' but is extremely 'concerning' for a number of reasons. 'It's not surprising that more young people are turning to AI platforms like ChatGPT for emotional support,' said Dr Alexandre Machado, Clinical Neuropsychologist at Hakkini mental health clinic in Dubai. 'It's easy, anonymous, and always available, kind of like having a friend in your pocket.' Concerns, hidden dangers However, the real danger lies hidden, said Dr Waleed Alomar, specialist psychiatrist at Medcare Royal Speciality Hospital in Al Qusais. 'It's concerning that some chatbots are presenting themselves as therapists,' he said. 'While users might [initially] be aware that they are chatting with a bot, many, particularly young people, can easily get carried away and start to feel like they are speaking to a real person or even a licensed professional.' He added that this is an issue because artificial intelligence does not always recognise the line between everyday sadness and a serious mental health issue. 'Since chatbots lack the credentials to diagnose or treat serious mental health conditions, they cannot connect users with human care when a person genuinely needs a mental health expert's support,' he said. 'While a chatbot may offer a brief sense of relief, it might also delay people from pursuing the professional help they truly need, leaving them feeling even more isolated.' His comments were echoed by Dr Alexandre who said there were plenty of case studies to prove how dangerous the trend can be. 'For example, a man in Belgium ended his life after being influenced by a bot, and a young boy in the UK once tried to assassinate the queen based on AI advice,' he said. 'These cases show how dangerous it can be to rely on unregulated AI for emotional support.' Benefits of 'instant' support Despite the obvious concerns, the experts agree that there were some benefits to having AI as a mental health support tool. 'AI tools are accessible anytime, which they may find especially helpful during those late-night hours when emotions can feel overwhelming,' said Dr Waleed. 'For a generation that has grown up with on-demand services, having support available 'anytime' is a real breakthrough. Also using AI for mental health support provides a sense of anonymity and a non-judgmental space.' Dr Alexandre added that while the tools cannot replace a therapist, they can help in some situations. 'It's easy, anonymous, and always available, kind of like having a friend in your pocket,' he said. 'But it's important to remember that AI can't adapt like a human can. Use it as a tool, but don't let it take over.'
Khaleej Times
03-07-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Doomscrolling, jet lag; how to stay mentally healthy during summer
As summer travel ramps up and social media feeds flood with picture-perfect vacations, a UAE-based neuropsychologist warns that the season of sun and escape could be quietly fuelling stress, anxiety and disrupted sleep — especially in a region grappling with rising security concerns. 'We tend to idealise summer as a time of rest and happiness, but the psychological impact of constant digital exposure and unpredictable travel can be profound,' said Dr Alexandre Machado, Clinical Neuropsychologist at Hakkini. From endless doomscrolling to erratic routines and overstimulated children, the very things we associate with winding down could be interfering with our ability to mentally recharge. Whether it's checking the news or posting travel highlights, excessive screen time during summer holidays may be doing more harm than we think. 'Constant exposure to digital stimuli can over activate the brain's reward system — particularly the dopaminergic pathways — leading to addictive behaviours,' explained Dr Machado. 'At the same time, curated and idealised portrayals of life on social media can evoke feelings of inadequacy and envy, compromise self-esteem and triggering what we call a 'narcissistic injury." The neuropsychological toll of such habits can also impair attention, impulse control, and sleep — especially in young adults. News content adds its own layer of damage. 'Distressing news can trigger unconscious fears and existential anxieties, over activate the amygdala and disrupt the brain's ability to regulate emotions,' he said. 'This leads to increased anxiety, even when people are technically on holiday.' Travel doesn't always heal While travel can be emotionally healing and cognitively enriching, it doesn't come without its own mental strain. 'Travel can enhance neuroplasticity and promote emotional catharsis,' Dr Machado noted. 'But it can also trigger the body's stress response system — activating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and spiking cortisol levels, especially in those with pre-existing mental health conditions.' Jet lag, unfamiliar environments, and unpredictable delays can further disturb the brain's executive functions and circadian rhythm, making rest even harder to come by. Another subtle but powerful mental burden is emerging — background anxiety tied to safety. 'Security concerns can evoke unconscious fears, which manifest as chronic anxiety or emotional detachment,' said Dr Machado. 'One way to process this is through journaling or therapy, which helps bring unconscious fears into awareness.' He also recommends practical techniques such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation to regulate the nervous system and restore emotional balance. Children feel it too The mental strain isn't limited to adults. Children — often freed from structure during the summer — are also at risk of emotional dysregulation. 'The lack of routine can impact a child's prefrontal cortex, making it harder to manage emotions,' said Dr Machado. 'Regressive behaviours, increased irritability, and even separation anxiety can emerge when children feel emotionally unanchored.' He suggests that parents establish flexible but consistent daily schedules, limit screen time, and encourage outdoor play and social interaction to keep kids mentally grounded. Suggestions for a healthier, more balanced summer 'Summer should be restorative,' concluded the neuropsychologist. 'But that requires conscious psychological work — not just a change of scenery.'
