Problematic Use of Generative AI Chatbots: Current Conceptual and Clinical Understanding

This narrative review examines problematic use of generative AI chatbots (PUGAIC), exploring epidemiology, risk factors, and proposed mechanisms such as emotional attachment and parasocial dynamics in vulnerable individuals. The authors emphasize that while preliminary evidence suggests addiction-like behaviors may emerge, current data remains limited and cross-sectional, with unclear diagnostic boundaries and validation gaps in measurement tools.