Hi every one. I am currently in the end of my second year. About one year before, i was suffering a serious depression caused by my personal reason. After 3 months treatment with the NHS, i felt better, but not completely good. Due to the depression, my progress speed in second year is very slow. Until now i have not got any published. And about one month before, my supervisor told me he will leave the university to another one. Unfortunately, he can not bring me with him. He tried, but cause i don't have any publication and i am at the end of second year. It is very hard to let me go with him. My supervisor is a very nice person, he was also my master supervisor, i really enjoy the time work with him and during my depression, he gave me lots of support. Anyway I was told i will be transferred to another supervisor. Last friday i met the new supervisor first time (He let me joined his team meeting, which had 10 people attended). The new supervisor joined the university this year, so i am not familiar with him.Through the first meeting i had with him, i felt he is a very strict person. In the meeting, some of his PhD students did not let him satisfied, he just scolded in front of all the people. After meeting, i got some personal time to talk with him about my research and future work. Obviously, he had a quite difference thought about my research and his face look made me feel i am the most foolish person he ever met. Although i have not got any published, i am writing my first paper. All the feedback about my research i got before i met him was positive. After the meeting i started doubt myself and my research. I felt worry about the research direction in the future and i am not even sure can i graduate under his supervise. Due to the weekends and bank holiday i haven't had chance to talk with my previous supervisor. Since i knew my supervisor would leave, my depression became worse and the meeting made my anxiety much more. And also as a PhD student i have financial worries and other things to worry. All these things made me can't sleep can't rest. I tried to work all the day. Sometimes work harder made me feel more anxiety. Cause if i set a target to be finished in next an hour and didn't finish it on time, i just feel like i am more closer to the hell. I wonder is anyone has the same experience like me and hope anyone can give me some advice?

Hi Nino

I am very sorry to hear about what you are going through - it sounds incredibly tough. It sounds like there are quite a few issues going on. This is so much to try and cope with - in addition to your work.

With the proper support, you'll manage to work through these things I'm sure. There are different options. If you have a good relationship with your previous supervisor, could you ask him about possibilities of other supervisors? On the other hand, perhaps this new supervisor is going to help you improve your work and start getting publications. You could ask him what potential he thinks your project has.

I think the most important thing though is to address your mental health needs right now. A break sounds much needed - deadlines can go on hold. And seeing a counselor would be useful so that you can talk through things and begin to work your way through it.

Tudor

It is pretty clear that this new supervisor is not going to give you what you want. I wouldn't tolerate being shouted at and would seek a new supervisor immediately.

I agree and wish I could edit out the last two sentences of my second paragraph. Things are only going to get worse if you work with this person.

Yeah sometimes when someone behaves that badly from day one it is better to cut your losses.
At some point, soneone will take a stand, record all of these interactions and start suing these bastards.
There is no excuse for treating people like that in this day and age.

I've had to deal with some pretty bad treatment since the start of my PhD, I'm trying to get the situation improved due to how much I like my PhD, but its taking its toll on my health, I get days when I am very down, so I understand how you feel. I keep going as best I can but I have to take breaks at times, for a day or so, I find this helps. Try not to feel guilty about the breaks, you need to look after your health. Similarly I have difficulties with anxiety and sleep due to the situation.
I've dealt with some pretty cold, negative behaviours were I am, I have been subjected to intimidating behaviours in supervision meetings which have left me shaking and in tears after the meeting, after holding back tears through the meeting. I no longer have meetings while I try to get changes made as I refused to be subjected to such treatment again. Those responsible couldn't see they had done anything wrong. But like others say when this type of behaviour happens its unlikely to change.
I advise speaking to the relevant person in your department/ faculty about supervision and any possibility for changes, this hasn't been straightforward where I am though because they only seem to listen to the staff not the students. Definitely seek support from your Student Services, its possible they may be able to liaise with your department to try and improve things as its affecting your health.
I advise looking in your student handbook, this should give details of contacts if issues arise and outline responsibilities of supervisors and what the University should do if problems arise. The University should abide by this as its your contract with them, mine currently aren't but I'm pushing for them to. If you have suffered from depression for at least 12 months you will likely be eligible to get funding for a specialised mentor. If you would like any further info about this feel free to send me a message.

Absolutely! Best thing to do is just switch supers to someone better without even going into why (that's what I did - refused to say why - just that it wasn't working for me - then there's nothing that can be used against you). If you go into details then it's seen as criticism (even if it's true), and that'll likely only cause more problems later... there's a risk you'll be disbelieved, stigmatized, and ostracized for raising any issues against staff.

Hope you can switch to someone who suits you better Nino. Also please see about getting support for the depression - it's so important, as I'm sure you already know.

Hope things are looking up Cat123. At least you like your PhD - that does make a difference!

Yes, bring it on! I can't wait for reform in academia. First the Catholic Church, then Hollywood, then academia. That's what I tell myself anyway. Change is comin'!

Hi Nino. Its good to know you sought help for your depression. Apart from this, please do have additional layers of support - school counselling, network of friends who are really close to you so you can vent out your frustrations when you need to.

It sounds to me that you cannot see this potential supervisor as a good fit for your personality. This is no fault of your own. Different students prefer different kinds of advisors but having said that, that potential supervisor sounds like an asshole who sees his students as less of a human being. Its not very nice to berate at someone in public. This shows a lack of EQ in my opinion.

Will it be possible to request for a different advisor? If you have no other choice, it is imperative that you get real close to the students in his lab. This will help you to best prepare with that advisor - what are things that annoy him etc, what are his tendencies. If youbare in that lab under him, all the students need to band up and help each other out When working with the advisor.

Lastly, if possible please apply for a break. A postgraduate study is already hard. It is even harder when you are besieged with so much self doubt and depression. That long break will help you feel rejuvenated and focused on your future tasks. Remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint.