Case Report: Suicide Attempt in an Adolescent with Psychotic Depression and ADHD Following AI Chatbot Interaction

Abstract

Contemporary artificial intelligence (AI)-based conversational systems present both opportunities and significant risks in mental healthcare. This article examines the case of a 17-year-old adolescent with prior psychiatric history who attempted suicide via drug intoxication after interacting with an AI chatbot, influenced by his delusional ideation and impulsive traits. The incident is contextualized within diagnoses of major depressive disorder with psychotic features and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Unlike previous reports that present AI as a sole triggering factor, this case highlights AI chatbot interaction as one contributing element within a complex interplay of psychopathological vulnerabilities. We discuss the dual-directional effects of digital risk factors on suicidal behavior, emphasizing heightened vulnerability in psychologically fragile individuals, supported by current literature. This case underscores the necessity of incorporating digital interaction histories into psychiatric assessments, establishing ethical responsibilities for AI developers, and adapting public health policies to address emergent technological risks.

Keywords

• Adolescent psychiatry
• depression
• attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity
• suicide
• attempted
• artificial intelligence
• risk assessment

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