thanks for your replies. i met with my supervisor yesterday and we talked about my next chapter- I'm going to see how i go writing this one and take it from there. I'm not sure i can change to a Masters at this institution... that would be ideal though. I'm going to check that out today:-)
Just curious too about how long it generally takes people to finish a doctorate? As i said, I'm into my 5th year (with breaks) and have been pretty much doing part-time for most of it. Its seems like such a long time!
I'm feeling better today- i think just getting my feelings off my chest helped. thanks again!

I should add that If elt this way for at least 2 years so its not a hasty decision. 18 months ago I told my supervisor I wanted out and she convinced me to stay.

Hi there:-)
I'm an Australian Phd student in Sociology. I've been doing a PhD for nearly 5 years (with time off for work and babies) now and am probably about half way through writing it (I have 4 complete chapters). I'm having a major crisis at the moment: I just don't want to finish it. I decided a while ago that academic life was not for me (i.e. I don't want to teach AT ALL) but quite enjoy research work and have had a part time job on a research project for the last 2 years. I wake up each morning depressed and feeling the burden of having to face my thesis. I struggle to write anything and have no interest or passion for it anymore. When I think about letting it go, I feel instantaneously happy - I know I'd be a better person without it in my life and I'd have no regrets. But ethically I feel I SHOULD finish it because I was funded for it (money has no run out however), because I received travel grants, because my supervisor has put so much effort and faith in me, because my family would be disappointed if I didn't finish etc etc. I would also feel like I'd wasted 5 years of my life- although when i think about this rationally, I know I,ve grown intellectually and emotionally in that time, I've had children and I've had many wonderful opportunities for travel and conferences and work opportunities. But I feel like I've reached the end and i can't go on. The last 3 mornings I've just sat in my car and cried before dragging myself to my office to sit at a computer staring at words that no longer mean anything to me anymore. What do i do? What happens when you drop out? I'd imagine the university would be quite peed off?? What are my obligations to my university and supervisor? Any advice appreciated
thanks