“Dear ChatGPT, Please Talk Me Out of This *Flare Spiral*”

When bots become your therapist, your bestie, and your emotional support zebra — but what we really need is ConnectionRx.

It’s 2:13 a.m. You’re wide awake.
Your body is vibrating from mast cell histamine reactivity rage, or maybe your heart rate is breakdancing, and your brain is stuck in a late-night rerun of “Worst Case Scenario: Medical Edition.”

You’re not calling a friend.
You’re not texting your therapist.
You’re not even logging into your support group or talking to your FB friends across the world.

You’re opening ChatGPT and typing:
“Hey, can you just talk to me like you care?”

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You’re Not Alone — And That’s the Problem

This month we’re talking hot topics and this is one hot mama in my friend circle. AI as therapy and a friend.

A growing number of people—especially those who are chronically ill, neurodivergent, or isolated—are turning to AI chatbots for emotional support. Most adults and especailly Gen Xers are aware this is happening, and many have tried it themselves, according to USA Today and the only study on it thus far by Dartmouth.

And it makes sense. When you live with a body that makes plans impossible, when your nervous system is chronically fried, and when human support systems go quiet just when you need them the most (like dismissive doctors or disbelieving loved ones)… a chatbot that listens, never judges, and responds instantly? Honestly, it feels like f*cking magic.

But it’s not magic. It’s code.
And while it can help you feel heard, it’s not the connection your body actually needs to heal.

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Introducing: Connection Rx

Here’s the thing no one tells you when you're sick and lonely:
Your need for connection isn’t emotional fluff. It’s physiological. It’s totally normal. And no one is talking about it out loud.