Hang in there Flo,
I know exactly how you feel. I was the same. It took me 5 years, so I know the feeling of seeing what I thought of as the 'new' people write up, submit and pass. Like you I thought "I can't quit, otherwise all this time and anguish will have been for nothing." Just keep chipping away at it, and eventually you will reach a point where you suddenly think "there's not much more to do!". All theses have 'holes' and that's the truth. The good thing is that your examiners know this too. There's a great article called something like a 'It's a PhD, not a nobel prize' and I found this a useful mantra and a reassuring read.

Hi Florence, I know that you are despairing, and saying that you are to take it easy will not be so helpful. What I recommend is that you talk immediately with someone or a counsellor who can advise you on how to better manage your emotions. When you are more emotionall able to handle those unstable feelings, you will produce work. Please don't let your self-worth be affected by whether or not you finish on time. Think of it more as a journey instead in which you are working towards the final prize of the degree, and the process is about as important as the end. Whether you finish a PhD happily or whether you finish it and get to the endpoint unhappily is actually very important. Don't be consumed in the thoughts about how good or bad you are, and instead remember, you chose that degree to make yourself a better person in what you want to do. Start from that, and remember that you will get there no matter how long or how hard it takes.

How are you getting on? I hope it's getting there! Don't worry - you are no way the worst student ever as it's normal to feel like that! They do say that the last 10 % is the worse as you are often just burnt out or sick at the thought of having to write more! But you'll get there - it'll won't be long! If you're having a bad day it's ok to take an afternoon off so you'll come back refreshed and raring to go! Don't be too hard on yourself as it's really is tough at the end! Somebody mentioned they needed to sleep alot which I also found as well as it's mentally exhausting! Don't worry about missing your deadlines - they often make you feel worse so just get as much as you can done! You'll find that some days are great and you can write loads and others are just awful and you can barely manage double figures but it all evens out in the end so don't worry about it!

I know it's easier said than done but try not to worry about it too much as that'll detract energy from doing your thesis!

Good luck and let us know how you are getting on. (up)

This is me in 2017. I literally feel like garbage everyday. I was crying whilst reading this thread. This was totally helpful and comforting thank you.