I've been working on my university's PhD program for many years now, I'm in my mid-thirties, and struggling with the reality that I'm about to be kicked out of my program. In addition to my adviser and my PhD committee, I also have a mandatory "PhD academic committee", an secret group of rotating faculty and staff that decide whether or not I'm making satisfactory progress and results towards my degree (which undermines the purpose of an adviser). This is where my problem is, and they expect completely unrealistic deadlines to be met.

I have two user studies left and my dissertation. Everything else is done. I work 100 hour work weeks, have been for years, forgo social activities, etc. My stress levels are making me physically ill on a regular basis.

I've been struggling with this committee ever since their inception and every semester is a whirlwind of fear and relief as they "mercifully" grand me an extension of another semester. I am frightened to death that their cup of mercy has run dry and there are no more extensions left in their hearts to give. There is no policy on extensions, it is merely whatever they decide.

I need more time. A lot more time. What can I do?

Additionally, is it possible to get rid of this committee altogether? It takes however long it takes and their pressure only makes me more depressed, more exhausted, more stressed, and all that leads to more sickness which means less progress. It's kind of hard to do much of anything when you've got your head in the toilet.

If they decide to kick me out, is there anywhere I can appeal to for more time?

For context, in which country are you based?

In the UK, the policies around these things tend to be more standardised. For example, it is common now that full time PhDs must be completed within 4 years of commencement. Extensions are only granted in the case of extenuating circumstances e.g. illness.

Have you sought any independent advice on this? If you have been working 100 hour weeks for a number of years then I would be very surprised if you do not already have more than enough material for a thesis. I would ask someone to give you an objective, independent appraisal of whether the extra work is really necessary.

I'm guessing you're in the US.

You need to be honest with your supervisory panel and at the same time they need to be honest with you. How much longer do you want? What are your goals to achieve during that time? How will you know when you are done?

I agree with HazyJane, it seems you should have more than enough thesis material working so many hours. Are you sure that it's not just your own expectations that you need more work, and actually your committee think you are fine?