======= Date Modified 21 Jul 2011 14:27:06 =======
"You have to work 12 hours a day for the rest of your PhD."
About 2 years in and without a transfer report due to an impractical project to start, which is common in my PhD group.

======= Date Modified 21 Jul 2011 14:16:21 =======
Also, I don't really know where my breaking point is, because I have suffered from anxiety to the point where physical symptoms have appeared. I'm concerned it's setting me up for a pattern in the future of just ploughing on through instead of taking the healthier and happier choices. Reading 'The Joy of Burnout' by Dina Glouberman puts this into some perspective. At least I haven't burned out, I guess.

A quiet period would be great. I've just realised that for a large part of my life I've been in this racing mind state. It would be great to have a break but the only problem is I really really don't want to go back to live with my parents, and can't afford to go on holiday anywhere without getting a job which would put me straight back into the racing mind state. I also feel like my social skills and confidence have been almost totally destroyed by the PhD experience and it's difficult to think positive. As it's a science PhD I feel my relating to people has really suffered and I don't want to hang around with people in the office, none of them seem to be interesting to me as all they talk about is science.

Really needed to vent.

Sorry to hear about that. Halfway through I realised essentially what you are describing was happening, and so I decided to fight. With just under 6 months of funding to go I am in a position to finish but only after fighting like hell for two years.

======= Date Modified 08 Jul 2011 17:57:37 =======
Well, my PhD process HAS been truly dreadful...

I'm interested to know from PhD students who passed. How long did it take to heal afterwards? Do you become the same person you were before, or different?