Hi,
I just wanted to say I really feel your pain on this one. I'm in a very similar situation. My supervisor has little expertise in the area I'm working in right now, and all he does is put pressure on me and make me feel bad. I feel like the damage he's done to my self esteem has caused me to become stagnant in my work, and I don't know what to do. The situation just keeps getting worse, and I hate going to the lab now.

I don't suppose I can offer you much advice since I'm in the same situation, but I understand how you feel. I hope things get better for you.

(cont'd) I suppose I'm not really in a position to offer any advice, but all I can say is good luck, and wish you all the best, whatever you decide. Remember there's a whole world out there beyond academia, which is probably a)less stressful b) will give you a higher income and c)will offer more long-term security. So only go back to the phd if you're doing it coz you really want to.

Good luck!

Hi Angie,
I just felt I wanted to post a reply, coz although I haven't taken time off, I'm really struggling with serious depression right now, and almost had a breakdown today. I feel like I have very little support, and nothing but loads of pressure from my supervisor, and like a few people mentioned here, also feel really intimidated by academics, as well as other students who I feel all seem to know more than me, and at least can talk about their own topic. I don't feel I can say anything about mine. All I can tell people is the title!
It really helped me actually to read that other people have felt the same, I don't feel quite so alone now.