In my case I procrastinated a lot when I should have been writing. So even if did all the other research tasks, I left writing till last minute. Unfortunately, think not all of us PhDs are that all organised and consistent...

Thanks! Sorry for the late late late reply. Yes my supervisors are supporting although they have opted to not contact me until I get work done - I should contact them. Their advice was very similar to what you said, again thanks. I've tried for a routine but no success there , so perhaps I work better as you have. I suppose the harder bit is to see this process as just something to do rather as a evidence of lack of success.

Hello All!
Well I haven't been in here for a while, and to make a long story short, after some moments of despair I submitted, did the viva and got -happily- referred. Now I have 1 year to resubmit the thesis (or the rest of it) and I need to pull myself back into the PhD. Initially I was quite active going into conferences and seminars and writing a bit but I have slowed down again, a lot. How to keep motivated/regain motivation, how to get things going again? I've been thinking of retaking a routine...which works for you? Anyone out there in a similar situation? Thanks lots! M.

You would like to the PhD just for the achievement? If you want some adrenaline try bungee jumping or some sports, you will equally feel a rush of achievement. Do you want a job in academia or research? Those are your best shots of getting a job with the PHD, and even so, I know PhDs who are now jobless... or applying for postdocs (which is not much difference to keep on studying, in my opinion). Also if you really wanted it you wouldn't be doubting as much (is like getting married I think, you just know when it is just right).

[quote]Quote From DrJeckyll:

Can you please explain WHY exactly you cannot start writing?
Do you get in a panic mode?

It seems the master is not an option in my university (they recently changed regulations).
Dr. Jeckyll, yes I got terrified of writing and also in an intense state of denial, thus I spent hours and hours on facebook game, which made me feel guilty, which made me feel in denial, and playing more facebook and voila, months gone. I also lacked of lots of self-discipline (and worse I thought I lacked that ability and that could never be that way) I've read that the loss of joy for life and self confidence are common in -sometimes a product of -the phd... but there also should be highs at some point right?

Btw, to all of those of you reading but not commenting (which I realise is not the smartest to ask in a phd forum for people who are not doing a phd anymore and probably have moved on with their lives) There's this article I liked Called " Advising the Dissertation Student Who Won't Finish"

http://chronicle.com/article/Advising-the-Dissertation/124782/

Hi all, am about to enter the last year of phd and I've been stuck in writing stage (as in having written anything concrete) for more than 9 months and I am quite despaired. So far I just managed to produce one small chapter (been postponing the main chapters ages).and I haven't been motivated enough to meet my deadlines. I have been advised and tried to divide the work in small chunks, it didn't work, got anxious about each bit I had to write. Tried "freewriting", didn't work, still rather go on facebook after 2 lines,same thing went for timer setup. I had a 6 month sick leave to get things right (went to therapy- different therapist actually, who where not completely effective, workshops, etc), and I didn't work for me. Also trying to think how lucky I am to count with the funding, family, friends and supervisors just got me feeling more guilty about not being able to write anyway, paired up with the fact that I they all think I am very clever. Sup finally said that I can't keep up like this (not delivering). Perhaps he is right, perhaps I just don't want to compromise anymore, perhaps I won't get over my fears and perhaps I don't want to. ... Anyone here with a similar situation? Anyone who was tried something different? Anyone left Phd for Mphil? How did that work out for you? Thanks for your time and answers. Appreciated.

Humm Goal of the day.. Focus for at least 10 - 15 minutes in one single topic...

Yep, been there, done that (had also similar personal problems) and I am doing it right now. I've been trying to change this last-minute habit for years, and after 2 counselor, 2 psychologists, 1 hypnotist and a dozen of bored to death friends and relatives I haven't managed to change it, so I just embraced it, I AM this way, and the soonest I can start writing something before the deadline it is on 3 or 4 days. So I did the (first draft) methodology chapter in one afternoon and one night, and currently sprinting to do the literature review chapter in 4 days which is an improvement given my record (And by the way,  in this times asking your PhD colleagues how long it takes for them to do something doesn't help at all)... I admit I am a fast typer though, and when really pressured can write up to 1000 words in 2-3 hours, so yes I am aiming on completing those 10,000 -15,000 words in 4 days and I am somehow panicked but all I can do now is keep going.. I would also advise getting a proofreader, maybe that could add a bit more pressure in working towards deadlines (adding an additional deadline before the deadline) or maybe just deal with the editing part that annoys me that much... To sum up...If you can't change it, EMBRACE it...