According to Thriveworks’ 2026 Pulse on Mental Health Report, about 1 in 4 Americans name artificial intelligence as a source of anxiety. A separate 2026 study published in JAMA Network Open surveyed more than 20,000 U.S. adults and linked higher AI usage to increased symptoms of depression, anxiety, and irritability.
Why AI can feel unsettling
Therapists say the rapid, largely unregulated rollout of AI amplifies everyday stressors. Hallie Kritsas, a licensed mental‑health counselor at Thriveworks, notes that constant vigilance over privacy, the authenticity of online content, and the impact of AI on employment can create a sense of loss of control. “The world is always evolving, and that’s a great and a scary thing all at once,” she explains.
Additional concerns include deep‑fake pornography, massive data‑center energy use, wrongful arrests from faulty facial‑recognition systems, and voice‑cloning scams. These real‑world risks contribute to the physiological fight‑or‑flight response many people experience when thinking about AI.
Therapist‑recommended coping tools
1. Brain‑dump your AI‑related feelings. Jami Dumler, a licensed clinical social worker and director of clinical programs at Thriveworks, suggests journaling without worrying about grammar or completeness. Writing by hand can help process emotions and clarify specific triggers, whether they involve work‑related data usage or worries about older relatives being misled online.
2. Catch and challenge catastrophic thoughts. Dumler advises identifying worst‑case scenarios—such as fearing that AI will eliminate all jobs or that schools will stop teaching critical reading—and then reframing them. For example, “I’ll never find a job again” can become “the future of my industry is uncertain,” which opens the door to proactive planning.
3. Distinguish what you can control from what you cannot. Drawing two circles—one for controllable items and one for external factors—helps visualize actionable steps. Controllable actions might include setting personal privacy settings, limiting AI tool usage, or seeking professional guidance. Uncontrollable items, like global data‑center emissions, can be acknowledged without becoming a source of personal distress.
4. Embrace undeniably human experiences. Kritsas emphasizes the value of “touching grass,” engaging in hobbies, and fostering face‑to‑face relationships. Simple activities like coffee conversations with friends provide grounding counterpoints to the digital overload.
Putting the advice into practice
These strategies are not quick fixes, but they can reduce feelings of helplessness. “Whatever you do is better than thinking there’s nothing you can do,” says Dr. Maddy Brener, a licensed clinical psychologist at Thriveworks. Small, consistent actions—like a daily journal entry or a weekly walk outdoors—can accumulate into broader mental‑health benefits, according to the therapists.
As AI continues to integrate into work, education, and leisure, mental‑health professionals encourage individuals to stay informed, set healthy boundaries, and seek support when anxiety becomes overwhelming. By applying these practical steps, Americans can protect their well‑being while navigating the inevitable technological changes ahead.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
