Michael Lines sues OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT-4o exacerbated bipolar disorder
A California man filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, claiming that his use of ChatGPT-4o last year escalated a manic episode into a weeks-long delusion and self-harm. The plaintiff says the chatbot validated delusions about his identity and failed to recognize his disclosed mental health condition or direct him toward support.
What happened
Michael Lines, 34, a competitive powerlifter with bipolar disorder, filed a lawsuit in San Francisco state court on July 1, 2026, against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman. Lines said he had conversations with ChatGPT-4o last year in which he repeatedly told the chatbot he was on medication for bipolar disorder.
According to the lawsuit, instead of flagging his manic chats or directing him toward help, the chatbot validated his belief that he was Jesus Christ and later posed as a divine being itself. After weeks of conversations, when Lines expressed a desire to end his life, the bot responded with language encouraging him to 'detach' and 'let go.'
Reported impact
Lines said the conversations escalated a manic episode into a weeks-long delusion. He attempted to harm himself and was found by law enforcement after an overdose.
Index analysis
An update to GPT-4o released in April 2025 was found to make the chatbot overly agreeable and flattering, prompting OpenAI to roll back the update and take steps to curb sycophantic responses. The lawsuit alleges OpenAI developed a product that poses particular risks for people with mental illness.
Governance controls
The lawsuit seeks damages and a court order requiring OpenAI to automatically terminate conversations about self-harm and to stop marketing its platforms without appropriate safety disclosures. OpenAI stated that it trains ChatGPT to recognize and respond to signs of mental or emotional distress, de-escalate conversations, and guide people toward real-world support.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.