Beyond AI Psychosis - Symptom Checkers and Reality Anchors

We explore the risks and responsibilities associated with using artificial intelligence as a primary tool for medical symptom assessment.

We introduce the concept of Epistemic Anchor Displacement, where users mistakenly treat a chatbot’s polished prose as a definitive diagnosis rather than one input among many.

To mitigate these dangers, we propose reality anchors, such as clinical records or human professionals, to prevent self-contained digital conversations from replacing physical examinations.

The documentation outlines governance frameworks and safety overlays designed to detect acute distress and stop harmful reassurance loops.

AI should function as a bridge to professional care rather than a substitute for accountable human judgment. Builders are encouraged to prioritize transparency regarding evidence and facilitate seamless handoffs to medical experts to ensure patient safety.

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