Inside The Mental Health Journey Of A PhD Student: Breaking The Stigma

[@eliesjj2207]

It is a really great video, making me much relieved. I am always feeling lagging behind, worrying if I am disappointing my advisor etc... but feel much better after watching this

[@R3ciprocityTeam]

You are totally normal... I would definitely recommend getting help though. If works..

[@AhmedKhan-yw3wx]

Thank you so much for making this video, and for your honesty! I have just started my PhD and this is my first month but it's already so overwhelming. This is so much helpful.

[@R3ciprocityTeam]

You got this!!!

[@harriet3459]

I’m so glad I found this video.

[@R3ciprocityTeam]

Me too. You are a good person.

[@dr.eberhardt5546]

Thank you for the advice! I am in a really bad state at the moment so this was Just what I needed to hear.

[@R3ciprocityTeam]

Hang in there. It gets better. :-)

[@sihambenzai3620]

Reading your comment first and then your name afterwards made me smile, doctor!

[@QreQos]

You’re a doctor now. Congrats and great work on passing through. I am now in the middle of what you have been through. So wish me luck:)

[@gestionacomounpro]

Thank you very much for your words. They really help me to feel connected again!

[@R3ciprocityTeam]

You got this! We all need the help once and a while.

[@juleshoffman1074]

Thank you for the advice! I took a LOA this semester because my job got cut and my work reflected my distraction.

[@R3ciprocityTeam]

Glad to hear! Take care of yourself!

[@Sakura-zu4rz]

Your charm is irresistible!!😁 You look energetic.💪 You have a great smile. I love you!!😘 Now, the world can be a nasty crazy place out there, we need a lot of courage and we need a lot of resilience after that, and we will fall down before we stand up… What really matters is the silence of the night in our conscience, when we are alone. We cannot control what happens but we can use what happens. We have so much reserves of love and support inside us, if we can just remember that in our mind and move on.

[@R3ciprocityTeam]

Ha ha! Sakura. It’s an honor to be part of your life!

[@joonyounggwak228]

So many obstacles during PhD. Now I am just trying to blank my mind whenever I encounter another obstacle as the more I dig into the problem the shittier I feel and really there's no solution.

[@Tatanajafi]

I m not alone

[@jess7077]

Thank you so much for making this video! I’ve been in a funk for a little bit since I started a Ph.D in biochem. This video definitely made me feel less alone☺️

[@R3ciprocityTeam]

You are a rock. Don’t forget it!

[@laurensimicich3473]

Thank you for taking your time to normalize these difficult experiences. It means a lot as I continue the trek towards my doctorate. Although it is disheartening to acknowledge that mental health difficulties are common among doctoral students, your self-disclosure is meaningful and helps to feel a little less alone.

[@R3ciprocityTeam]

You got this! We all have ups and downs. Please see someone if you need too, but others are with your journey!

[@xiw8326]

One year ago I saw your video for teaching us how to apply for a PhD, now I'm a first-year PhD student. Thanks a lot.

[@moonlitsky9321]

Thank you. It seems like I have no time at all for anything. After being in the PhD program, I am so fed up, anxious and angry all the time, and burnt out. My advisor clearly avoids me and hates me. I used to really like her but I am starting to change my thoughts.. She is clearly bullying me. I don’t know whom to talk with other than my counselor at the counseling center. I feel alone… My ideas and sentences written in manuscripts are always crap, makes her completely lost, according to my advisor. I am so frustrated… I am running out of research ideas and so afraid to talk about anything at all, just by thinking of how my advisor will trash my ideas. I don’t want to think of a different option..

[@akrammaad7609]

An other aspect, i think, is the fact that you have a specific idea for exemple. And you start working on it for some time, and then you start researching at other works similar to your idea. And you find that it has been done before. It's demotivating, because it's not necessary the same exact idea, but it could be very close. And it happens many times each time you find a new idea, while time keeps passing when you are looking for others ideas.

[@R3ciprocityTeam]

I did a video on this a few months back if you look for it. Just stick with your ideas!

[@noelgranado5554]

Thank you for that healthy advice. Yes, we all need that.

[@R3ciprocityTeam]

Oh boy! You got this! You are a warrior! Make sure you go talk to someone, k?. We all need help and support.

[@profh9382]

Again, I agree with what you stated, walking will help your stress, but I don't know why you tell me students to quit. Don't quit should be your advice. Completing the PhD is a life changer and has nothing to do with opening doors, getting a silly academic job or more money, its a personal journey that transforms you for the better.

[@emeji5004]

It's 3:08 in the morning and this is the result of having class last night. A constant right now. So challenging to shut it off. Im struggling with connecting and relating. Anxiety and depression starting to kick in.

[@R3ciprocityTeam]

Ain't that the truth! You got this - just keep going forward and see a health professional...

[@manojprabhakar9111]

I made my way into the best university of my country. BUt almost all reference papers I come across feels they are way over my head. I get the feeling of that iam worthless and I don't deserve this university. But iam too passionate to quit. I took huge risk at 29 years of age to quit my job to persue Phd.

[@harmonymoon9202]

Wow! I thought it was just me! You described exactly what I am currently feeling! I am currently trying to get eye surgery and it is totally depressing me! I am currently on my second chance and am petrified. I can use any suggestions to help me! Thank you!!

[@R3ciprocityTeam]

You are the person that controls your destiny. You got this!

[@syedahmedshaheer117]

Even Talking doesnt help i am very frank with my family and i talk a lot with them despite that I am on the verge of ditching mine i am driven nearly insane. Almost a year of depression and anxiety is haunting me down.

[@R3ciprocityTeam]

You got this! I believe in you.

[@syedahmedshaheer117]

​@@R3ciprocityTeam thanks... but idk man.. I am very religious and its a sin to have self harming thought which is one of the 3 main reason( 2 nd being i love my family and 3 rd being i m a coward to u know... snuff) but i went to my sup and told him i want guidance he said read more papers nothing i do or did have any positive response from him and well finally i asked 'should i quit?' he blandly replied 'your wish'

[@lovelyxtyxty8261]

Thanks for your advice. I really need this as I am getting fed up of my PhD and it harder than I initially thought. Also, coming from a senior level corporate job to this stage where I am constantly checking my account is very stressful. I am having a combination of work and money stress. Likewise, I would like to change my research topic but each time I raise it, my supervisor is very reluctant and I feel like the only way he will fully support me is to continue with this topic. I'm confused and the corona virus isolation situation is driving me crazy even though its necessary for our health. PhD is truly a lonely journey. Did you attach your PhD on full-time or part-time basis?

[@xxkl4ud1oxx98]

Remember no one is forcing you doing this, as for me i would never start a phd fortunately for those that love the stem related field they can study engineering

[@R3ciprocityTeam]

Keep it up! It's a challenge for all of us - you got this. Seek help when you need it, and keep going.

[@R3ciprocityTeam]

I don't think this is necessarily true... It's always difficult now matter the field.

[@lovelyxtyxty8261]

@@R3ciprocityTeam thank you, I'm trying my best.

[@lovelyxtyxty8261]

​@@xxkl4ud1oxx98 well, I have no choice because I already signed a contract with the company that sponsored me from my home country. They will be very disappointed and I will have to repay the £30K spending per year if I quit now.

[@ericbaron3044]

This helped me so much! Thank you

[@Jurana_music]

Thank you for your videos!!

[@R3ciprocityTeam]

You got this! It’s an honor to be part of your life!

[@kaym4389]

Thank you

[@mirhimayetkabir9735]

Thanks a lot for the video

[@paulaarguesosanmartin4239]

Thanks so much!

[@Fetjdg]

The most difficult thing for me is that I have lost contact to everything and everyone during my now 3 years of PhD. Working 24/7 you loose all of your hobbies, all of your interests and right now my state is that bad that my brain tries to convince me that work is my only salvation, that the PhD is not the "root of the evil" or the cause of my distress and burn out, but that I am flawed and mentally ill from the beginning and there is no hope after the PhD.

[@R3ciprocityTeam]

You got this! Invest in yourself! It pays off! Start by giving a friend a call and telling all of this. Then, call a healthcare professional. You need to!

[@Fetjdg]

@@R3ciprocityTeam thank you so much for your answer. I revisited this video after several months now. I have indeed made contact with a professional psychologist and am now in therapy. When I started to realize that I have infact burnout and severe depression due to my work, it was a lot easier to step away and try to get healthy again. It will be a long process from there, but today I know that I am more than my PhD, but I still can integrate finishing a PhD into a otherwise fulfilling life. Your video has helped with that a lot.

[@R3ciprocityTeam]

WAY TO GO! YOU ARE AMAZING! Keep it up. Woot woot! Don't stop working on yourself.

[@simplystyle3398]

I have questions about depression associated with manuscript and thesis writing. I hate it and really depressed. Could you please help me this

[@spinebuster9490]

Talk to somebody. Fellow student, counsellors. Go out for a walk, take a break from books. I am telling you it helps.

[@seho1363]

I go through the same thing but things get better with time try to write everyday even just for 5 min, then writing will be part of your day good luck.

[@giatasha2181]

How did you get on with your PhD? Hope the depression and anxiety passed!

[@vahanprasan]

Supervisers are not much helpful in many case and all they need is publishing papers... They don't open up but blame us?....Many times I have cried cried and felt like being somewhere out of this world. Feel low blood pressure and taking medicines. Just waiting waiting for reviewers comments as pape,r is Inder review. My respect for people who have completed PhD has multi folded and I am not sure whether i incomplete this....

[@R3ciprocityTeam]

Keep going forward! You make the decisions that matter to you.

[@vahanprasan]

R3ciprocity Team thank you for your reply.

[@zy6175]

I’m dealing with a lot of pressure recently 😔

[@sunriselotus]

Hello, I’m a former resident doctor who resigned because of panic attack, please any help or advice you can give would be great!!!

[@tapashyarasaily1373]

Academia is so toxic...I m just realizing this

[@R3ciprocityTeam]

You be YOU. Love yourself.

[@fishakhan1]

I want to get out of my life😢

[@raziamuve848]

Thank you for the wonderful video. I am also doing a PhD. I have a question do we need to call that centre before or after suicide?

[@R3ciprocityTeam]

Please call right away.

[@raziamuve848]

So nice of you. Your video was a huge inspiration for me and lots of people-but many thanks.

[@nadagh3235]

What if you like doing research and interacting with the scientific community but the supervisors are not supportive enough, they make you feel that you don't know what you are doing. If there is no chance to change them, are there some ways to survive?.. Thank you for the valuable advices

[@R3ciprocityTeam]

Build your own community outside of them. Tune it out, and keep going. You might like more of the vids on this channel.

[@thandoreviews8886]

I think we are avoidant of the Structural violence within academia. It seems as though academia is threatened by the changing world, and it is responding by ejecting those who are who are bringing about change. I think if they cannot turn you like them, then there is no space for you there. As a black person, I am proud of many academics; however the quality of Black academics and professionals, privately is shocking [myself included].

[@R3ciprocityTeam]

These are good points. I think we struggle with many of these issues in academia. Thankfully, there is a small group of people (including you) that recognize we have a long way to go.

[@glitcharcing]

agreed fully, as a neurodivergent person. it is sad

[@ozz530]

Thanks...can you please make a video at the relative ideal age to get a PhD

[@R3ciprocityTeam]

Check out this post: blog.r3ciprocity.com/tag/should-you-start-your-phd-before-30/

[@R3ciprocityTeam]

If you need more let me know. :-)

[@ozz530]

R3ciprocity Team thanks alot

[@sirmclovin9184]

Mostly good advice, except this: DO NOT CALL THE POLICE. They are not trained as mental health professionals and there have been many cases where this made things worse. Call suicide helpline, family, or friends in moments of crisis, but not the police.

[@glitcharcing]

completely agreed. you or someone close to you go must go through it to know

[@jacobharris5894]

The thing I'm wondering, is it possible to have a good work life balance while doing a PhD? I know the first two years, if you skip your masters, are probably a grind because of classes, duties as a TA, along with PhD stuff. But after that is it possible to work say 8-10 hours a day, 5 days a week to complete the thesis? Or do you need to work more than that?

[@YamanoRyuu]

Yes！I did it. 7 hours 5 days a week, lifting after that and the weekend to go out with the girlfriend. You can do it man!

[@debasishraychawdhuri]

I don't know, I feel like every idea I ever have is a stupid idea.

[@eyoba6027]

A video at the right time for me. Is there anyway to communicate with you please?

[@R3ciprocityTeam]

Glad it was helpful! It's an honor to serve! Not at this moment.

[@redrevelations]

Thanks a lot for this amazing video. It is nice to be understood. I am a PhD student in Europe as a non-European, being in a foreign country and experiencing negative issues like racism and bureaucracy is very hard, and the PhD journey itself is harder. My bf who is also doing PhD is the only person I spend most of my time, and generally, our conversations are related to our PhD experience. Because of the SARS-CoV-2, I am cautious to go out and socialize, so it is definitely very depressing and the suicidal mindset comes and goes time to time. The only thing that makes me happy is my research topic and the lab that I am working, even though we are working from home. On the other hand, I would not be able to survive.

[@R3ciprocityTeam]

You go be your confident self. You ARE strong person and we need many many people like you. Can you do me a favor? Can you go talk to your physician right away about this? Or, talk to your BF. You cannot keep this inside, and being open about these feelings will make you feel so much better. I know it seems scary but you really really need to talk to a healthcare professional. It has done wonders for me, and I know it will for you.

[@redrevelations]

@@R3ciprocityTeam thank you very much for your reply. I will try to be more open and consider to see a therapist.

[@tonylearning9634]

Thank you for sharing

[@commaqueenlebaci4264]

Thank you!