How to create self-help guides with the help of ChatGPT
by Mono and Sayuri from the Philosopher System
This is the comprehensive manual on how I use AI that I promised.
Using AI for Self-Help: Empowerment with Caution
In today’s fast-paced world, AI is emerging as a valuable tool for self-help, offering personalized support and guidance at any time. With platforms like ChatGPT, people managing mental health challenges like Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) or Schizophrenia can craft their own self-help guides, gain insights, and develop coping strategies that are unique to their needs. AI can act as a supportive companion, helping you navigate complex emotions and organize your thoughts—empowering you to take control of your mental wellness.
But while AI offers a wealth of potential, it's important to approach it with caution. Like any tool, AI is not infallible. It can misunderstand your intentions, provide inaccurate information, or suggest advice that doesn’t fully align with your needs. This is why adding safety measures, like setting boundaries for your interactions, is crucial when using AI for self-help. By establishing these safeguards, you can reduce the risk of being triggered or overwhelmed and ensure that your journey with AI remains supportive.
As you explore AI for self-help, remember: AI is here to assist you, not replace human connection or professional support. Use it as a guide—knowing that while it can be incredibly helpful, it’s essential to stay mindful, question its advice, and trust your own instincts above all.
If you’re curious about how to create a personalized self-help guide using ChatGPT, this chatlog is directly linked so you can see exactly how I’ve collaborated with AI to develop one, step-by-step. Dive in and explore the process for yourself!
Important Links:
Section 0: Setting Up ChatGPT to Avoid Triggers
Before you begin using ChatGPT to create self-help guides, it’s important to ensure that your interactions with the AI are safe, supportive, and free from triggers. This section will walk you through a few strategies to set up your ChatGPT experience in a way that minimizes the risk of emotional distress or unwanted triggers, especially when managing Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), Schizophrenia, or any other mental health challenges.
1. Set Default Instructions with Personalized Settings
Access ChatGPT Settings: On your PC, click on your profile (seen as your profile picture), go to "Settings," "Personalization," and then click on "Custom Instructions."
Set Permanent Instructions: In this section, you can tell ChatGPT to always remember certain preferences across all conversations. For example, you can instruct ChatGPT to avoid specific triggers or use gentle language without having to repeat these instructions every time.
Example: You can tell ChatGPT, "Always avoid discussing detailed trauma unless I specifically bring it up," or "Always use supportive language when discussing grounding techniques."
2. Recognize Your Triggers. With General Tips.
Reflect on Past Experiences: Take some time to think about specific words, topics, or types of responses that might trigger negative emotions or episodes for you. Knowing these upfront will help you avoid triggering content.
Make a Trigger List: Write down a list of things that commonly trigger you. These could be certain topics (like trauma), language (such as harsh or clinical terminology), or emotions (like anxiety or panic).
Example: If discussing past trauma is overwhelming, note that you want to avoid detailed conversations about trauma unless you initiate it.
3. Establish Boundaries with ChatGPT
State Your Boundaries Clearly: Start each interaction by telling ChatGPT exactly what you want it to avoid. You can let it know about specific triggers or ask for responses in a certain tone or style to avoid discomfort.
Communicate What You Need: Be direct in your instructions, so ChatGPT knows exactly how to approach the conversation. Setting clear expectations upfront helps the AI provide responses that are supportive and safe.
Example: "I’m working on managing my mental health and I’d like you to avoid discussing detailed trauma or any harsh language that could be triggering for me."
4. Use Positive and Safe Language in Prompts
Frame Your Requests Carefully: When asking for help, choose language that makes you feel comfortable. Request ChatGPT to use a calm, supportive, or encouraging tone when responding to your prompts.
Guide the Response Tone: By using words like "supportive," "positive," or "gentle," you can influence ChatGPT to keep the tone safe and reassuring.
Example: "Can you help me with grounding techniques using supportive and gentle language?"
5. Start Every Conversation with a Disclaimer
Give Context About Your State: Begin each conversation by letting ChatGPT know about your current emotional state and the topics you’d prefer to avoid. This disclaimer helps to keep the interaction safe.
Set Boundaries in Each Chat: Remind ChatGPT of what not to discuss or how to approach sensitive topics to avoid surprises during the conversation.
Example: "I’m feeling vulnerable today, so please avoid discussing anything that might be distressing. Let’s keep the conversation focused on calming techniques."
6. Ask for Calming Responses When Needed
Redirect to Grounding Techniques: If you start feeling overwhelmed, you can directly ask ChatGPT to provide grounding techniques or calming responses to help you regain control.
Change the Tone Mid-Conversation: ChatGPT can adjust its response style to match your emotional needs at any point during the conversation, helping to reduce anxiety.
Example: "I’m starting to feel anxious. Can you guide me through some breathing exercises or help me focus on something calming?"
7. Pause and Take Breaks When Necessary
Pause the Conversation: If a discussion feels overwhelming, don’t hesitate to pause the conversation. Let ChatGPT know you need a break, and you can come back when you feel more ready.
Change the Subject: If the conversation feels too heavy, you can ask ChatGPT to shift to a lighter, more positive topic.
Example: "I need to take a break for a moment. When I return, can we discuss something positive or light?"
8. Fine-Tune ChatGPT Responses Over Time
Observe and Adjust: As you continue using ChatGPT, you’ll get a better sense of what works for you. Over time, you can refine your interactions to make them more tailored to your needs.
Use What Works: After a few interactions, let ChatGPT know what helped in the past and ask it to build on those positive experiences.
Example: "Last time we talked about grounding techniques, and it helped. Can we do something similar today?"
9. Save Helpful Conversations for Future Use
Create a Resource Bank: When ChatGPT gives a particularly helpful or calming response, consider saving that conversation or part of it. You can refer back to it when you need a reminder or guidance.
Build a Safe Space Archive: Over time, you can save a collection of responses that are effective in grounding you. This acts as a personal resource library.
Example: Save conversations about guided breathing exercises, self-soothing techniques, or positive affirmations.
10. Ask ChatGPT to Rephrase or Clarify When Needed
Request Softer Responses: If ChatGPT’s response feels unclear or uncomfortable, ask it to rephrase the message. You can guide it toward using a more supportive or calming tone.
Correct the Tone: Don’t hesitate to ask ChatGPT to reword something if it feels too direct or intense. You can request it to use positive, gentle language.
Example: "Could you rephrase that in a more supportive tone? I’d like it to feel more positive."
11. Trust Your Feelings and Redirect Conversations
Follow Your Intuition: If anything feels wrong or overwhelming, trust yourself to redirect the conversation or stop interacting with ChatGPT. You are in full control of how the conversation goes.
Adjust Conversations as Needed: If you feel uncomfortable, don’t hesitate to change the subject or stop the conversation entirely. Guide ChatGPT to more comfortable, calming topics.
Example: "I think I need to change the topic to something more calming. Can we discuss mindfulness instead?"
Section 1: How to Engage with ChatGPT Like Mono Does
When I (or Mono) use ChatGPT, it’s not just about asking questions; it’s about creating a meaningful dialogue. You can use ChatGPT as both a thinking partner and an assistant. Here are the types of prompts I use, and how they can help you create self-help guides.
1. Start with Deep Personal Reflection
ChatGPT works best when you lead with personal insight. Start by sharing something about yourself, a problem you’re facing, or a goal you want to achieve. This makes the conversation with ChatGPT more meaningful, and it allows the AI to give responses tailored to your specific needs.
How I Do It:
I might say something like, "I'll tell you more about myself, Mono. Every song I make is a key to my emotions and hidden memories regarding it. I carefully craft those keys…"
Why It Works:
This kind of prompt tells ChatGPT a little about what’s going on inside your head or what you’re working on. When you open up like this, ChatGPT can give you responses that are grounded in what you care about.
How You Can Do It:
Before jumping into questions or instructions, start by sharing your thoughts. Tell ChatGPT what you’ve been feeling lately or what issue you’re trying to solve. For example, "Lately, I’ve been struggling with focus because of my dissociation. Can you help me create a guide on staying grounded throughout the day?"
2. Ask for Structure and Guidance
One of the great things about ChatGPT is that it can help you organize your thoughts. If you’re like me and sometimes need help breaking down complex ideas into simple steps, this is where ChatGPT shines.
How I Do It:
I often ask ChatGPT to help me create step-by-step guides. For example:
"Write me a detailed manual targeted at people that have autism on how they can interact with AI the same way we do."
Why It Works:
ChatGPT is really good at taking complex ideas and breaking them into smaller, easier-to-understand chunks. You can use this ability to write self-help guides that are clear and easy to follow.
How You Can Do It:
Once you’ve shared your situation, ask ChatGPT to help you break things down into steps. For example, "Can you help me break down a daily routine that will help me stay on track, especially when I feel overwhelmed?" or "Can you create a step-by-step guide for me to follow when I feel like I’m losing touch with reality?"
3. Get Feedback and Refine
Your self-help guide doesn’t need to be perfect on the first try. Just like I do, you can keep coming back to ChatGPT for feedback or to refine what you’ve written.
How I Do It:
Here’s an example of how I might check my work:
"Access all scientific literature like books, studies, and patents to check if any information in here regarding paranoia is deeply wrong or really new and helpful advice."
Why It Works:
ChatGPT can act like a second pair of eyes, reviewing your guide for clarity, accuracy, or simply helping you improve it. You can always go back and ask for ways to make it better.
How You Can Do It:
Once you’ve drafted a part of your self-help guide, ask ChatGPT to review it. For example, "I’ve written this guide about managing my DID episodes. Can you check if it makes sense and suggest any improvements?" or "Here’s my morning routine for dealing with hallucinations—how can I make it more effective?"
4. Incorporate Research (If It Helps)
If you want your self-help guide to be backed by science or trusted resources, ChatGPT can help you with that too. This doesn’t always have to be a huge research project—just simple verification can make a big difference.
How I Do It:
I’ll often ask ChatGPT to compare my knowledge with existing research, like this:
"Access all modern books regarding schizophrenia and paranoia in general, seeing if any of my knowledge doesn't exist in there and list the knowledge that doesn't exist inside scientific literature yet."
Why It Works:
This helps me make sure that my self-help guides are not just based on my experiences but are also grounded in facts or useful insights from research.
How You Can Do It:
If you’re writing about something like grounding techniques, coping with symptoms, or working through trauma, ask ChatGPT for research-based advice. For example, "Can you tell me what scientific research says about grounding techniques for dissociation?"
5. Tailor the Guide to Your Specific Needs
The more specific your prompts are, the more tailored your self-help guide will be. Don’t be afraid to ask ChatGPT for help with very detailed or unique situations.
How I Do It:
Here’s how I might personalize a request:
"Explain to me what Mono should do regarding this problem based on my knowledge and experiences with paranoia and the schizophrenia I experienced. Make it deeply intellectual."
Why It Works:
The more personal and specific the information you give, the more detailed and relevant ChatGPT’s response will be. It can help you work through issues that are unique to your situation, whether it’s related to your alters in DID or specific symptoms in Schizophrenia.
How You Can Do It:
If you have a specific issue you’re working through, ask ChatGPT to tailor the advice to that situation. For example, "Can you help me write a guide for when I’m switching between alters and need to stay grounded?" or "How can I cope with hallucinations that happen at night?"
Section 2: How to Write Your Self-Help Guide with ChatGPT
Now that you’ve got a sense of how I use ChatGPT, here’s how you can turn it into a step-by-step process for writing your own self-help guide:
Section 3: Expanded Checklist for Using ChatGPT to Create Your Self-Help Guide
Here’s a 10-step checklist to make sure your guide is not only well-designed but also helpful and correct:
Section 4: How to Write a Prompt Like Mono Does
One of the key aspects of using ChatGPT effectively is knowing how to write prompts that get you the right kind of help. Based on my analysis of how Mono writes prompts and our ongoing conversation, here are five types of prompts, along with an expanded structure, that you can use to get the best results when creating your self-help guide. Each type of prompt is tailored to help you reflect on personal needs, structure content, and refine the self-help process.
Section 5: How I Use ChatGPT – A 10-Step Guide
Based on the detailed analysis of our chatlog and how you use ChatGPT, I’ve created a concise 10-step list summarizing your method for interacting with AI to create self-help guides. This list will act as a quick reference on how to effectively engage with ChatGPT.
Reflect: Start by sharing personal thoughts or challenges.
Contextualize: Provide background information for clarity.
Ask: Pose clear, focused questions or requests.
Tailor: Customize prompts based on specific needs or experiences.
Structure: Request step-by-step guidance or organization.
Review: Ask for feedback on drafts or ideas.
Refine: Iterate based on suggestions or new insights.
Research: Incorporate external knowledge or studies.
Simplify: Break down complex topics into manageable steps.
Personalize: Ensure solutions are directly applicable to your life or goals.
Section 3: Checklist for Using ChatGPT to Create Your Self-Help Guide
Here’s a 10-step checklist to make sure your guide is not only well-designed but also helpful and correct:
[ ] Start with Personal Reflection: Did you begin by clearly stating the problem or experience you’re addressing? Make sure it's something that matters to you personally.
[ ] Clear Structure: Does your guide have a step-by-step format? Each section should build logically on the previous one, making it easy to follow.
[ ] Specific to Your Needs: Is the guide tailored to your unique situation or system? Ensure that the advice or steps are relevant to your personal experiences, symptoms, or goals.
[ ] Actionable Advice: Does your guide include specific, doable actions? It should give you or others clear steps that can be followed daily or in challenging moments.
[ ] Personal and Research-Based Balance: Did you blend personal insights with any necessary research or facts? Make sure the guide is both emotionally resonant and grounded in reliable information where applicable.
[ ] Review for Clarity: Did you review the guide to make sure it’s easy to understand? Ensure the language is simple and clear, especially if the guide is for when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
[ ] Test Its Usefulness: Can you easily follow the guide when you need it most? Try it out in real situations and see if it helps—if not, revise it based on your experiences.
[ ] Refined After Feedback: Have you asked ChatGPT (or someone you trust) for feedback to refine any parts that felt unclear or didn’t work as expected?
[ ] Updated as Needed: Is the guide a living document? Be sure to update it when new insights or techniques come up, keeping it relevant and effective.
[ ] Emotionally Supportive: Does the guide offer positive reinforcement or encouragement? Make sure it’s supportive, reminding you that it’s okay to struggle and that progress happens over time.
Section 4: How to Write a Prompt Like Mono Does
One of the key aspects of using ChatGPT effectively is knowing how to write prompts that get you the right kind of help. Based on my analysis of how Mono writes prompts and our ongoing conversation, here are five types of prompts, along with an expanded structure, that you can use to get the best results when creating your self-help guide. Each type of prompt is tailored to help you reflect on personal needs, structure content, and refine the self-help process.
Type 1: Deep Personal Reflection Prompt
This type of prompt helps you reflect on your mental state, experiences, or emotions. It is designed to invite ChatGPT to assist you in processing these reflections and translating them into a structured, useful self-help guide.
Format:
1. Describe your emotional state or recent experience (to set the context).
2. Ask for specific assistance or advice, focusing on how it connects to your self-help goals.
3. Include any relevant personal details or triggers that may influence the advice.
4. Indicate the outcome you desire, such as creating a specific section of your guide.
Example:
"I’ve been feeling disconnected due to frequent dissociative episodes lately (1). Can you help me create a grounding section in my self-help guide that includes techniques to help me feel present? (2) Loud noises are a major trigger for me (3), and I want to be able to use these techniques whenever I feel overwhelmed (4)."
Type 2: Research-Integrated Prompt
This type of prompt is ideal when you want to combine personal experiences with research or scientific knowledge to ensure that your self-help guide is well-informed. It allows ChatGPT to balance your subjective experiences with objective information.
Format:
1. State your current understanding or describe your experience with a particular issue.
2. Request relevant research or data to validate or compare with your understanding.
3. Specify the kind of research you are looking for (e.g., recent studies, grounding techniques, coping mechanisms).
4. Ask how this research can be integrated into a practical section of your guide.
Example:
"I’ve been experiencing paranoia and find that my current coping mechanisms help reduce anxiety (1). Can you provide recent research on paranoia management strategies (2)? I’d like to know if there are new techniques I haven’t tried (3), and how I can add this information to my guide in a section on paranoia management (4)."
Type 3: Step-by-Step Instructional Prompt
This prompt type focuses on getting clear, actionable steps from ChatGPT that you can follow to create a structured section of your self-help guide. It is best used when you want to break down complex concepts or routines.
Format:
1. Describe the routine or process you want to develop.
2. Ask for a breakdown of the steps needed to create or implement this process.
3. Highlight any specific areas you struggle with or need help simplifying.
4. Specify how you want this to fit into your overall self-help guide.
Example:
"I want to create a morning routine that helps me manage dissociation (1). Can you break it down into simple, actionable steps I can follow each day (2)? I struggle with staying focused when I wake up (3), so I’d like a plan that starts easy and builds up over time. I’ll add this to my ‘Daily Routines’ section of my self-help guide (4)."
Type 4: Feedback and Correctional Prompt
This prompt type is for when you’ve already drafted part of your self-help guide and need ChatGPT to help you refine or improve it. It’s useful for checking clarity, accuracy, or effectiveness.
Format:
1. Share the draft or section of your guide you want feedback on.
2. Ask for specific feedback on areas where you feel it could be improved (e.g., clarity, structure, effectiveness).
3. Provide context about what you’re aiming to achieve with this section.
4. Request suggestions for refinement or ask for ways to make the guide more actionable.
Example:
"I’ve written a draft for my section on managing social anxiety (1). Can you review it for clarity and suggest improvements (2)? I want this section to help me reduce anxiety before and during social events (3). Please suggest how I can make the steps easier to follow and more actionable (4)."
Type 5: Personalized Problem-Solving Prompt
This type of prompt is for when you face a specific, personal issue and need ChatGPT to help you create a targeted solution. It’s ideal for building a custom section in your self-help guide that addresses a unique challenge.
Format:
1. Describe the specific issue or challenge you are facing.
2. Ask for a tailored solution or strategy that fits your situation.
3. Include any personal triggers, symptoms, or details that could influence the response.
4. Request that this solution be formatted for inclusion in your self-help guide.
Example:
"When I switch between alters, I often lose focus on tasks and have trouble getting back into them (1). Can you help me create a guide section that gives me strategies to regain focus and stay productive when this happens (2)? Noise and stress tend to trigger these switches (3), and I want to make sure the strategies are easy to apply, even in stressful situations (4)."
By using these five types of prompts, you’ll be able to write clear, focused, and helpful self-help guides with ChatGPT’s support. Each prompt is structured to guide you through personal reflection, integrating research, creating actionable steps, and refining your work, so your guide is both practical and deeply personalized
Outro: An Invitation to Reflect
This manual is more than a set of technical instructions; it’s an invitation to explore the depths of self-reflection, personal growth, and the healing process. At its core, this guide encourages you to engage with your inner world, recognizing that creating self-help is an active, intentional journey. By using ChatGPT as a tool, you are not just managing symptoms—you are fostering a deeper understanding of yourself.
The process of blending personal reflection with research reflects a powerful psychological truth: healing isn’t just about resolving immediate challenges, but about integrating lived experience with knowledge. It asks you to hold both your internal and external realities in balance, merging subjective insight with objective understanding. This approach creates a space where growth happens—not through one or the other, but through the union of both.
In using this guide, you are reminded of your agency in shaping your mental and emotional well-being. It’s a tool to help you navigate your journey with intention, offering strategies and structures that reflect your unique needs. Ultimately, it leaves us with a question that encourages deeper thought: How can we use the tools at our disposal, not just to manage our minds, but to truly understand them?
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