Actually, now that I think about it, I can think of quite a few people I know who have gone into lecturing without a PhD... I'd never noticed before. Perhaps some of the universities value industry experience more, at least in the UK. How depressing!

Mind you, she doesn't have a PhD.

I have a friend who started lecturing at Leeds Met on £34k last year. I think a lot of salaries may very according to experience. (She had no teaching experience but had worked in the industry a long time.)

It strikes me that if we were in it purely for the money, we'd all be doing something else instead!

Finally, I wish you all the very best in trying to tackle this. From what I've seen it's a tough one to cope with. My thoughts are with you.

I've also heard that although relaxation techniques can't "cure" you, they can help. Meditation might be something to have a go at in your spare time.

Also, if you haven't done so already, I would make sure people who matter personally and professionally are aware of the OCPD, so that they can be supportive.

Whatever you do, try not to panic about your work as it will add to the problem. Your goal has to be about learning to maintain a relaxed perspective as much as possible.

But again, if you can get referred to one, talking to a psychotherapist about this is probably your best bet.

Hi,

I don't have this myself, but years back I had a friend who was diagnosed with it whilst he was at art college. It manifested itself in that he was completely unable to actually finish a painting - he just kept working and working on any given piece, convinced he could bring it to a point of perfection. Eventually I remember he was referred to some sort of behavioural therapist who helped him change his behaviour by making deliberate mistakes, leaving things deliberately unfinished etc... but it did take him the best part of two years to make any headway.

I really sympathise. Is there any chance you could go back to your doctor and ask what else is available other than drugs? Or perhaps get a second opinion?

I don't know. It works for some people I guess, but I'm just too suspicious about how much people lie online. There's also a safety issue I think, because you can never be sure who you're talking too - good sites have guidelines about not giving away too much information too soon - always best to follow them.

You mention cutting out the dross, but personally I think it's far easier to do that in the real world rather than the virtual one.

That said, I'm sorry you find it difficult to meet nice people and if you do decide to try finding someone onine, I wish you the best of luck.

Some forums tell you how many people are browsing particular threads at any one time. I quite like that - it gives a useful indicator of what most people are reading, or what they're not.

If I were you, on the whole I'd stay off caffiene unless you really need to stay awake for something. If you're taking them daily or even weekly, it would probably be best to stop.

I use caffiene tablets to stay awake when I have to go to London (a long way from where I am) for the day, as it means leaving at 3.45 in the morning and getting back at 10.30 at night. I don't do it too often but I haven't noticed any adverse affects other than double the amount of tiredness the next day when it's all out of my system. I think the reason you feel tired when you stop taking them is because the wakefulness they have given you has allowed you to unknowingly wear your body out.

aloha - love the idea that it's because the brain is working so hard. I do so hope that's true!

Hi,

I don't think your age matters much these days - so many people are doing PhDs throughout their 40s and many companies value experience over age.

It's hard to know what you're looking for... but with all that experience in education, perhaps working for a government dept such as the dfes might be worth a thought? Or there's GORS (http://www.operational-research.gov.uk/recruitment), which I've also heard is worth a look.

Just an idea.

I wish you could beam yourself over to my uni! They've just refurbished an office for the arts crowd and I got an email from admin last week trying yo encourage us to go and work in there because apparently nobody uses it! I think what's happened is that it was so shabby and unwelcoming for so long that people have got used to going elsewhere... and working habits are hard to break.

Hi, I hope you find what you're looking for but I have to say that if you're searching specifically for PhD forums, unless there's something I've been missing, I've found them very thin on the ground.

As already mentioned, the best idea is probably to google for subject specific forums... even though many users of them probably won't be PhDers. Best of luck to you and wherever you go - and hope you don't come across too many people posting rubbish. There are some real idiots out there!