Recently, I had to change supervisor but my research area did not change much. Some one recently published my idea. I do not feel it is worth spending time and effort to force fit my work. My motivation levels are very low; I am mentally getting sick and impatient to see some success towards my PhD. I do not want to end up having poor relations with my current supervisor. I am not able to focus and I am not sure if I should really continue. I am 2 years into my PhD with no visible success. Please help me!!!

Why dont you take a weeks holiday go far away from your current location enjoy yourself maybe visit your home then it may refresh you a bit. It helps me sometimes to look away at something else for a few days then get back.

'2 years into my PhD with no visible success' - that sounds familiar! I'd stick at it (assuming you're doing a three year PhD) since you've come this far, but maybe it's really unbearable?

What does your new supervisor say? Maybe there is a different angle you can come at your research so it is still publishable.

You're probably right. It's better to quit now than to be a pathetic failure. Right?

first find something else to do then quit

It is definitelly worthwhile to be open , to talk to other people about this problem, to look for another university, to travel a bit, you can request a two month break to think about it; please also enjoy life and do not make the mistake of staying closed. Remeber that failure is necessary to then achieve success in what ever way with or wiothout a PhD.

Also, I have right now a similar, very similar situations. Let's see what life brings! life is wonderful!

I completely agree with Dev and Fernando, you should take a break from your work for a week or two. It's hard to make important decisions when you are feeling stressed and demoralised so it's probably better if you don't make any decisions right now. Just about everyone has time during their PhD when it's all going wrong and they consider quitting so please don't feel you are alone! Is there anyone you can talk to at your Uni (friends, mentor, post-grad team)? Take care.

I had something similar. I took several months off,to think about it and do not have to be at the university, because I hated it at that time. Then I returned back and decided to give it a try. I do not know yet if it was good decision or not, but if you have only 1 year left, you do not have anything to loose to spend the year on the project. Maybe it will not be PhD out of it at the end, but a publication or two would not be too bad, huh?

I am in a somewhat similar situation like yours and wish you the best. I will ask mine as well.

why did you start in the first pace? you have to find out if it is worth it. think about it if you finish what do will you gain from the "experience". once you have completed it despite all these problems you will be able to tackle anything life throws at you. The position you are in now may turn out to be to your advantage. Make it so

Thanks, bugs.

Don't give up! Take a break, think everything out and speak to your supervisor. You can always answer a research question from a different perspective. You will be a better and much stronger person once you get your PhD. Enjoy and succeed!!

please don't give. just think of your big great gain after you finish your degree. all the best

All I can say is that I've started & stopped an MBA after finishing an MS only to wish that I'd have finished the MBA...over and over I wish there were an end to my regret. I wanted to get a Ph.D from the beginning (a wee lad) & now everything seems unattainable. Don't give up without realizing the very real cost of admitting defeat.