My supervisor knows the situation and has been so nice. I was so scared of telling him for fear that he would think less of me. But he knows how hard I work and when I work I work. He says just work mornings if I want.
But I would rather work four or five hours of solid work than spend the whole day in the office chatting and actually getting less done.
I spend most days at home working and find it much more productive. I know thats not always feasible and I do do labwork. But make sure that i plan what I want to do and so spend time more productively when I am in the lab.

Hi Zingo,
I'm not sure if this will help, but I will explain my situation. Its not regarding my phd but my Bsc. I started my BSc in 2000 and was really unhappy. I was bullied by my flat mates, missed ny boyfriend immensly (now my husband) and generally felt really low. At the end of my second year I had devloped a severe eating disorder and was really depressed. I spent some time as an inpatient and after that as a day patient doing art therapy, group therapy etc. I thought I never wanted to go back to finish my Bsc. But in the end decided I couldn't let it take over, and finished my degree. I am now doing a phd and do have moments where I feel really bad. But I have learnt to deal with it. I know the triggers. I take it easy when I feel low. Eat well, exercise and don't overdo it. My priorty is definately my health.I can only do my best. I still see someone now and that keeps me in check.

'or to the shops' not'although ths shops'

I can't wait to have kids but definately not yet! I am 26, and got married two years ago, although me and my husband have been together for eight years.
Before we got married all anyone would ask was 'when you getting married?', now all it is 'when you having children?'. To be honest I really don't feel ready. I think I'm being selfish but I can't imagine always having to think about someone else and whose needs will always be above mine. You can't just nip out to see some friends, although to the shops without having to pack all the baby stuff up. I'm sure I will know when the time comes.
I don't think doing a phd is the hardest thing you'll ever do, and I think what ever your doing in terms of a job will be tough with a baby. You don't know how you'll cope though because evryone is different, as is every baby!

Great to hear from you Lara. I think that most people that use the forum all want to support each other. Don't listen to people who want to knock you down.
I have had so many ups and downs whilst doing my phd (so far 2 yrs) and I'm sure teh worst is yet to come but we all need to support each other.

Hope you continue to make good progress.
xx

Hey Lara,
How are you doing?
Not heard anything from you in a while.
It would be great to hear your doing ok.
xx

sorry to be a bit blonde- but what exactly is a zero draft?
p.s I can say this cause I am a blonde

Hi Lara,
If it were me, I would leave out the third chunk of writing excusing the quality of the results. If you want to write a chapter on this you want the results to be worth writing a chapter on it.
If your saying the results are poor then your supervisor may agree.

I have been really impressed with your attitude- keep going and you do deserve this phd!

xx

Hi Nearly finished,
I completly sympathise with you. I have several mental health issues. I had an eating disorder and OCD for several years and although I am much better now, since I started my phd, my obsessions seem to be around my work rather than my food!
I am currently seeing a counsellor with the university counselling service. Does your uni have something similar.
I try to do CBT and it does really help. There are several good books, one of which I worked through with therapist called MInd over mood by Greenberger and Padesky.
That really helps.
Maybe it may be worth trying meds. I take them and although I would rather not, my husband thinks I need them and I trust him!
Hope you feel better soon.
xx

Lara- don't feel demotivated- be positive!
I've been really impressed with the diary etc. You can do it!

what did your supervisor say to make you feel down - can you turn it around so its a positve
keep going
xx

I meant not nearly as much
excuse my typos as well!!

Hi Lost in Oz,
I really sympathise with you. I am in my second year now but my first year was hell. I was upset all the time, lost weight and felt like a nervous wreck most of the time. But I got married after six months into my phd and to be honest that changed my whole outlook. I realised that although my phd was important, my husband was more important and I would rather have my mental health as well. I had a severe eating disorder during my ug days and the most important thing was staying well. I could not go through that again.
It put things into perspective and I take a bit of a step back now. I do still get stressed but nearly as much. If I start getting in a state a take a break for a couple of hours or the rest of the day and have a fresh perspective the next day.
It works for me and I enjoy my work much more now tahn I ever did.
Perhaps make sure you see your friends or family often and have other things to do when you get upset

and I can't spell the!!

is it the same people in the lab at all hrs? Its true there are always people around but if you take me and a colleague I work from 7am but she comes in about 12 noon and obviously works much later. There is always someone around but thats probably because most don't work normal hrs, they work to suit there productivity. Some work better in morning and some in evening. Its definately about teh balance, because a phd is not teh be all and end all.Its true in depends on the people. My husband knows that I love my phd and If I want to work I will.
Not all would be so understanding!

I have to say I'm not sure I agree with this. I have been with my husband for eight years, we got married 1 1/2 yrs ago when I was 6 months into my phd. He is certainly not an academic. He left school at 16. But I don't think it has effected our relationship. I love my work and in some ways my research is my life but my husband is definately more important. I work hard, am in the office at 7am practically everyday and often work evenings and weekends to, but we still make time for each other. I try and work my hrs around him to a certain extent. He works early so do I. I think a relationship can work. How many hrs are you expecting to do doing a phd?