Hi pineapple - I'm probably just going to say what people already acknowledge but academia is evil. Your ideas must be closely guarded, help is never forthcoming and the rosy tinted view that all academics help each other out is an out-and-out fallacy. While it may have been a genuine mistake, don't lose sight of the fact that every other established academic would sell their PhD-ers soul for recognition or extra grant money. Fight for what is yours, it's safer to assume people will not help you and then be pleasantly surprised when they do.

I'm going to fling my two penneth in this one: Working non-stop is all very good but not taking time out is just plain nuts. Yes you may get lots done by flogging yourself but, and here is the nub of the matter, as an academic you are expected to think. You can't do that effectively when you're exhausted and continually doing something.
Suggestion: go to the pub, nurse a pint and play with ideas in your head.

...hmmm...I prefer minor academic deity.

Hell, I started my PhD at the age of 29, after 5 years with the NHS. Age is no limit, probably a bonus. Ask yourself WHY you want three years of cynical insomnia, that would be the real question!

I can empathise. A simple thing to remember: a PhD is a job. Take time out (unless its absolutely essential) and what finer way than some time with your other half - even a quiet night in with a bottle of wine and a "how was your day?"

At the risk of sounding callous: going on a guided walk is not socialising. Sounds like you need a group of friends who can give you a good old fashioned, belly aching, laugh till you cry! That invariably cheers people up. I know you're in London, so if you want someone to meet up with let me know and we can sort something out. Only not too late, cos I have to be home in bed with my Horlicks before 10pm!

Homesickness doesn't vanish; especially when the prospect of not returning home soon is not available. Keep with it (not least of all because I have yet to actually try a trout recipe ). As to your "brilliant career"; is that REALLY why you did a PhD? Or was it you were curious and wanted to know more? The answer to that will justify why you are doing this.
How's your socialising? Do you meet people frequently? What are you doing extra-curricular and (most important) are you taking time for yourself? If all else fails, take a weekend break to Portsmouth and swim in the bracing Channel.

They are right about withdrawing the funding; that's illegal (I think) and constitutes a breach of contract. Not to mention grounds for replacing the git.

curiousphd, I empathise with you; my mother is terrified of flying - so much so that the tranquillisers given to her by a doctor (strong enough to knock out an elephant) had no effect! Not much use I'm afraid, but at least you're not alone!

Welcome all, hope you find this forum as entertaining/useful/place to vent your spleen in moments of intense displeasure but above all;
Enjoy the PhD

Can I be the muppet with the gratuitous ego and no common sense who does nothing but tell anyone who'll listen how wonderful I am?

jouri...you're a very strange person.

All the work I've produced thus far has been an excercise in creative writing. And creative stats. And very much creative logic!

Pants...I'm at the cynical sarcasm stage already and I've only been doing it for 4 months. Then again, maybe that's just my personality.

umm...ok. Point of this being whether or not tea breaks are good? Personally I think £5 for a kettle (that boils for six people) is a much better idea! Choccie biscuits not included. Perhaps if Tefal did that - free biscuits for life - I might be interested