Hello,

I have started my PhD very recently but already am not enjoying it. The research which promised to be quite interesting has taken a route which I am not enjoying at all. It doesn't seem like this route is going to change and I really don't like the idea of spending 3-4 years of my life carrying out research which I am not at all interested in and which will not benefit my career.

I also suffer from anxiety disorder and OCD which I am usually able to manage but the stress of my PhD has exacerbated both of these conditions.

I know that there is the possibility at my university of downgrading to a masters course but am not sure of the details. I would like to know about this so at least I know I have the option if the PhD becomes too much to cope with. I am a funded student and would also like to know what the situation is with regards to repaying the grants if I decide to quit or change to a masters. The problem I am having is that I don't know how to find out this information. Obviously I don't want to go to my supervisor with these questions and was wondering if somebody on the forum might be able to suggest a way in which I could ask these questions confidentially?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks.