Hi Tulip,

Thanks for answering. Yeah the first few moths were dedicated to reading and learning the techniques but now that we have 2 studies coming up in April. It's a lot more full on.

My supervisor mentioned in an email ... 'your lack of attention to detail that you sometimes lack and needs improvement.' He's expressed concerns before about my progress, so now I'm definitely a little worried

Hi everyone.

I'm just curious, what's everyone's idea about where a student 'should be' in terms of their performance and progress throughout their 1st year of a PhD?

For example, should a supervisor still except a student to make mistakes, should the student be more independent etc.

And for those who are curious about why i'm asking, it's because I still lack 'attention to detail' to some things (I am working on this) and i'm wondering if other students have flaws like this ~6 months into their PhD.

I havent started data collection yet, I'm aware that I can't afford to keep doing this by then.

Cheers.

Hi everyone,

Thank you so much for your advice.

I had a meeting today regarding a potential suspension but they've decided that they're happy to let me progress with the PhD, only on condition that I continue to use the student support services and visit my GP.

I initially felt relief but now I feel like a complete failure. I want to do the PhD so badly, but they used phrases today like 'You clearly can't cope' and my self esteem has hit the floor. I started taking the meds as I began my PhD so I've been having problems right at the beginning, so believe that my poor performance is normal for me. That's not true at all, I'm an incredibly hard worker and it breaks my heart to think that I've done nothing but disappoint when I've been trying to get better. I regret going on medication.

My performance this week has been much better and my routine is going back to normal. I just can't shake the feeling that I've ruined my relationship with my supervisors.

Hi everyone,

I could really use some advice. I've been struggling with depression for years now and since starting my PhD I made the decision to get help from my GP so that I could focus on my studies.

I was put on Citalopram but reacted badly to it. Very badly, there's been some significant problems, meaning that I've recently asked my GP to come off them.

My supervisor has caught on to my problems and asked me what's been wrong and I told him everything. Last week, there was an incident where I fainted in my room at halls and I informed my supervisor.

Now my supervisor is suggesting that I take an 'interruption of studies' where I leave the program for x months until i'm better (proved with a medical certificate). This period can be anything from a few months to a year.

I really do not want to leave my studies, I'm so much happier here. But my supervisor says that it may not be up to me, and I may have to take leave whether I like it or not and claims it is in my best interest. Although I don't disagree with that statement, leaving the course for however long will have serious implications. I may lose my stipend, my room in halls, my access to the university facilities, my friends and will fall seriously behind.

I can't afford to leave...Does anyone have any advice, or has gone through something similar, or has had to take leave due to health reasons.

Please help, Thank you.

Thanks everyone :)

@chickpea Thank you, i'm glad to hear that it might not just be me. If anything worsens I may ask for time off but at the moment I might keep this to myself, especially as it's so early on in the PhD. There's so much wrong with me, I don't want people to feel like they're treading on eggshells.

@DocInsanity thanks for the advice, I've gotten in touch with the counselling dept at the university but booking sessions here is a bit of a faff. I've put an hour aside tomorrow morning for it.

Hi everyone,

This may be a really sensitive subject but I'd really appreciate the advice.

I've been struggling with an eating disorder the past 5 years and although it's usually well managed, recently I've been struggling and it's affecting my mood and concentration.

I've been in-and-out of my GPs this week and I've just been diagnosed with severe depression and generalised anxiety disorder. I've been put on beta-blockers for now and will be put on SSSIs soon. I haven't told the university about my ED history and neither my new diagnosis. I don't want to necessarily tell my supervisors either. I haven't been here long and I don't want them to think that I can't handle my job.

I was wondering if anyone else here has similar struggles or if anyone had any advice of what I could do to help me? I've always wanted to do a PhD (I knew it was going to be tough) and I've been applying for years, I really don't want to have to quit.

I couldn't find a current thread (correct me if i'm worng) regarding mental health concerns so I hope you guys don't mind me starting a new one.

Thank you guys.