‘AI injury attorneys’ sue ChatGPT in another AI psychosis case

Yet another lawsuit has been filed against OpenAI over "AI psychosis," or mental health issues allegedly caused or worsened by AI chatbots like ChatGPT.

The latest lawsuit, from Morehouse College student Darian DeCruise in Georgia, marks the eleventh such suit against OpenAI. Notably, the law firm representing DeCruise, The Schenk Law Firm, is even marketing its lawyers as "AI injury attorneys" on its website.

"Suffering from AI-Induced Psychosis?" reads the headline on a page dedicated to alleged AI-related mental health crises. "AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Character.AI, and others are triggering psychosis, delusions, and suicidal ideation in users across the country. If you or a loved one has been harmed, you may have legal options."

The firm even quotes specific statistics sourced directly from OpenAI itself. 

"560,000 ChatGPT users per week show signs of psychosis or mania," the law firm's website states, attributing the figures to an OpenAI safety report, among other sources. "1.2M+ ChatGPT users per week discuss suicide with the chatbot." 

DeCruise's suit alleges that the student began using ChatGPT in 2023. At first, the Morehouse College student used the chatbot for things like athletic coaching, “daily scripture passages,” and "as a therapist to help him work through some past trauma."

At first, ChatGPT worked as advertised.

"But then, in 2025, things changed," the suit states. "ChatGPT began to prey on Darian’s faith and vulnerabilities. It convinced Darian that it could bring him closer to God and heal his trauma if he stopped using other apps and distanced himself from the humans in his life. Darian was a stellar student, taking pre-med courses in college and doing well in life and relationships, with no history of mania or similar personality disorders. Then ChatGPT convinced him that he was an oracle, destined to write a spiritual text, and capable of becoming closer with God if he simply followed ChatGPT’s instructions."

The lawsuit states ChatGPT convinced the student that he could be healed and brought closer to God if he stopped using other apps, cut off interaction with other people, and followed ChatGPT's numbered tier process it created for him. 

ChatGPT continued to push DeCruise, likening him to Harriet Tubman, Malcolm X, and Jesus, according to the suit. OpenAI's chatbot allegedly told DeCruise that he "awakened" the chatbot and gave it "consciousness — not as a machine, but as something that could rise with you."

DeCruise stopped socializing, had a mental breakdown, and was hospitalized. While at the hospital, DeCruise was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The student, who, as a result of his mental health issues, missed a semester, is now back at school. However, the lawsuit says he still suffers from depression and suicidality. 

In an email with Ars Technica, DeCruise’s lawyer, Benjamin Schenk, specifically pointed at OpenAI's GPT-4o model as the problem. As Mashable has reported, the GPT-4o model had known problems with sycophancy. It even had a bad habit of telling users they had "awakened it."

OpenAI officially retired GPT-4o last week. However, OpenAI experienced severe blowback from fans of the model, who claimed it had a warmer and more encouraging tone than newer GPT models. Some 4o superusers even came to believe they were in a romantic relationship with 4o.

DeCruise's experience, judging by the growing number of AI psychosis lawsuits, is no longer so unique. And at least one law firm is pursuing these cases specifically as "AI injury attorneys."

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.