Rethinking Mental Health Advice: Why Adding Tasks May Do More Harm Than Good

Many common mental health tips tend to emphasize increasing activities, such as practicing yoga, journaling, or engaging in new routines. However, these suggestions often result in adding more tasks to one's already busy schedule, which may inadvertently increase feelings of overwhelm. Interestingly, these recommendations rarely focus on removing harmful habits or reducing stressors that negatively impact mental health.

Recent research conducted by the University of Bath and the University of Hong Kong highlights a pervasive 'additive advice bias.' This bias appears across various platforms, including conversations, social media posts, and even AI chatbots. The findings reveal that well-meaning advice often encourages people to do more, rather than eliminate harmful behaviors or reduce burdens. Participants in the studies reported that suggesting adding beneficial activities seems easier and more beneficial than advising on cutting out detrimental habits.

The research involved analyzing experimental data, real-world advice exchanges on Reddit, and AI-generated responses from ChatGPT. It was observed that advice varies depending on the relationship context; people are more comfortable suggesting harmful habit reduction to close friends than to themselves. Notably, ChatGPT also predominantly offers additive advice, echoing social media trends.

According to Dr. Tom Barry from the University of Bath, this bias may make mental health challenges feel like an endless piling on of chores, which can be counterproductive. Dr. Nadia Adelina from the University of Hong Kong emphasizes the importance of developing prompts within AI systems that encourage users to consider what they might remove from their lives to create a more balanced approach. Recognizing this bias and addressing it could lead to more effective mental health support, both online and offline.