Skip to main content Tom's Guide Tom's Guide Search Tom's Guide View Profile Newsletters Best Picks Entertainment Switch 2 Pre-Orders iPhone 17 Air Best laptops Best Mattress Wordle Today ChatGPT helped me through a panic attack — here's what happened Amanda Caswell 26 April 2025 It won't replace my therapist, but it was useful in that moment When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Shutterstock) Like millions of people, I use ChatGPT nearly every day. Most of the time, it’s for productivity: brainstorming ideas, summarizing interviews, or testing AI prompts for work. Occasionally, I’ll hop on a trend just to see what it’s about. But recently, I used ChatGPT for something much more personal: a panic attack. I never imagined I’d turn to AI in a moment of real fear. But the other day, when a panic attack hit me out of nowhere, it wasn’t a friend, a family member, or even my therapist I turned to. You may like I wasn’t sold on ChatGPT — until I tried these 5 prompts I use ChatGPT every day — here's 10 prompts I can't live without I was alone, between work meetings, and needed help fast. So I opened ChatGPT Voice and Vision — and to my surprise, it helped me calm down when I couldn’t calm myself. A history of panic attacks (Image credit: Getty Images) Last summer, I started having frequent trouble breathing. I thought it might be COVID or even a heart issue. But after an emergency doctor’s visit, I learned I’d been experiencing panic attacks. Up until then, my only reference point for panic attacks was Ted Lasso, and mine looked nothing like his. As my therapist and doctor explained, panic attacks can manifest differently for everyone. For me, when I get overwhelmed, I sometimes forget to breathe. It sounds simple, but in the moment, it’s terrifying. Sign up to get the BEST of Tom's Guide direct to your inbox. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. Thanks to therapy and mindfulness exercises, I’ve learned to manage most attacks before they spiral. But sometimes, they still sneak up on me. "The benefits of AI are tremendous but there are risks, too. Many mental health patients need more than AI. They need to be followed by a psychologist or psychiatrist."Dr. Lawrence K Straus, PhD How I used ChatGPT Voice and Vision (Image credit: Future) I already had ChatGPT open on my screen. I’d just wrapped one meeting and was working on a story before the next. When I felt the familiar wave of anxiety building, I quickly opened a new chat and switched to ChatGPT’s Voice and Vision mode. For those unfamiliar, ChatGPT Voice and Vision, available with a ChatGPT Plus subscription, allows you to speak with the AI in real time; no typing required. It can also “see” through your device’s camera, enabling more natural, interactive conversations. It's kind of like a FaceTime conversation except you're the only one on camera. At first, the AI couldn’t understand me very well. It saw my face and asked if I might be having an allergic reaction. I shook my head and finally managed to say, “I’m having a panic attack.” That’s when it clicked into gear. The AI responded with a calm, steady voice: “I’m here with you. Let’s take a deep breath together.” I told it I couldn’t, that I needed more help. The chatbot didn’t falter. It guided me through grounding exercises, encouraged me to describe my surroundings, and kept gently reminding me to breathe. Its tone was patient, supportive and comforting. This is where ChatGPT surprised me. A friend might try to keep me calm, but wouldn’t necessarily know how. The AI, on the other hand, offered the exact same techniques I’ve used with my therapist. What it felt like — and why AI is no substitute for a real therapist (Image credit: Shutterstock) It made me feel less alone, right when I needed it. And this interaction helped me recover to the point where I felt like I could continue to work that day. But despite how helpful ChatGPT was on this particular occasion, it's important to remember that AI is not a substitute for a trained mental health professional. According to Dr. Lawrence K Straus, PhD, a clinical psychologist based in New Jersey who specializes in behavoioral health, there are pros and cons to AI. "The benefits [of AI] are tremendous but there are risks, too," said Dr. Straus. "Many mental health patients need more than AI. They need to be followed by a psychologist or psychiatrist." And although AI can be used by therapists to seek out diagnostic or therapeutic suggestions for their patients, providers must be mindful of not revealing protected health information due to HIPAA requirements. We’re just beginning to see the incredible benefits that AI offers us in all fronts." Was talking to ChatGPT the same as talking to a human? No. But it was helpful and in that moment, having an always-available, neutral voice talk me down was better than spiraling alone. It made me feel less alone, right when I needed it. And this interaction helped me recover to the point where I felt like I could continue to work that day. Final thoughts If you live with anxiety or are prone to panic attacks, ChatGPT Voice might be worth adding to your mental health toolkit. It’s not a replacement for therapy, but it’s a solid plan B in a pinch. Using ChatGPT didn’t “fix” me, but it helped me ride the wave instead of being crushed by it. AI tools aren’t just for productivity or fun. Sometimes, they can offer something deeply human: calm, comfort and connection, right when you need it most. More from Tom's Guide I just tried Perplexity’s new iOS assistant — and now I’m ditching Siri for good I tried these 7 Gemini Live prompts — and the results blew my mind I tested every Gemini model — here’s what each one does and 30 prompts to try Back to Laptops Intel Core i3 Intel Core i5 Intel Core i7 Storage Size Screen Size Refurbished Screen Type Storage Type Showing 10 of 104 deals Apple 13" MacBook Air M4 (2025) $909Preorder Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i ChromeBook Plus (14-inch 128GB) $593.30View Apple 13" MacBook Air M4 (2025) Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x (Gen 9) $1,099.99View Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i ChromeBook Plus Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024) $2,199.99View Apple 13" MacBook Air M4 (2025) $1,138View Dell XPS 13 Plus $1,099.99View Dell XPS 13 7390 $1,087.49View Apple 15" MacBook Air M4 (2025) $1,599.95View Amanda Caswell Social Links Navigation You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. I wasn’t sold on ChatGPT — until I tried these 5 prompts I use ChatGPT every day — here's 10 prompts I can't live without I use ChatGPT every day — here's 9 prompts I can't live without 7 ChatGPT productivity hacks that you're not using — but should be Why I ditched ChatGPT for Gemini — and the 5 prompts that sealed the deal This is your brain on AI — and here’s the subtle shift you’re not noticing Latest in AI I gave Memory Movies another try 6 months after Apple Intelligence arrived — here’s what I’ve found Say goodbye to endless scrolling — what you need to know about YouTube's AI summaries I test ChatGPT for a living — 7 secrets to instantly up your prompt game I've been using ChatGPT for over 2 years — these 5 prompts show how far it's come ChatGPT helped me through a panic attack — here's what happened OpenAI supercharges ChatGPT with Deep Research mode for free users — what you need to know Latest in Features I gave Memory Movies another try 6 months after Apple Intelligence arrived — here’s what I’ve found I test ChatGPT for a living — 7 secrets to instantly up your prompt game ChatGPT helped me through a panic attack — here's what happened Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders — 5 expert tips to help you score a console I’m a wildlife photographer but I forced myself to shoot the streets on the Fujifilm GFX100RF — here’s what happened 'Why do I wake with neck pain every morning?' I asked a chiropractor to help with my sleep woes LATEST ARTICLES Huge Timberland sale live with up to 50% off — 15 deals I'd shop now How to choose the right gardening gloves for each task — and keep your hands protected Better sleep for less — 5 queen mattress deals under $500 you can shop right now Your spring bulbs have bloomed — 7 things you need to do next I tried this high-tech golf bag with a speaker and solar panel — and it even has a game-improving trick Tom's Guide is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. Terms and conditions Contact Future's experts Privacy policy Cookies policy Accessibility Statement Advertise with us Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Please login or signup to comment Please wait...