Comments on Ph.D. Depression: Ph.D. Depression

I gotta point out ... I disagree with "it get...

2009-09-25T19:14:58.673-07:00

I gotta point out ... I disagree with "it gets worse after you graduate." I've experienced pre- and post-doctoral depression and it's infinitely worse before you get those three stupid letters after your name. Before I slogged through the 7 years it took me to get my PhD (cell biology), it just felt like I had already made the investment in myself and I couldn't leave, nor could I see a light at the end of the tunnel. Once you've got the degree, you're more or less "free." Don't like your postdoc? Leave. There are others, or industry jobs (I chose the latter). Don't like your research field? Move on, because you can. Don't ever want to be behind the bench again? Cool, you don't have to. There are plenty of "dry" jobs for us. It's your job, not your life anymore like getting the degree was. Linkedin is a great resource for nontraditional career paths after a PhD -- and a good way to cheer yourself up temporarily :)

Do you have any stories or words of advice from th...

2009-09-16T15:29:09.080-07:00

Do you have any stories or words of advice from that time you'd like to tell? I've been noticing that a lot of the people coming to the blog were searching google for the term "post phd depression" so I'd love to be able to have something posted here for them, but I obviously don't have any experience in post phd depression to write about.

I gotta tell you--it gets worse after you graduate...

2009-09-16T09:37:54.728-07:00

I gotta tell you--it gets worse after you graduate. For nearly a year, it was all I could do to go to work, play Wii and sit around the apartment watching the paint chip. I thought it was something weird until I spoke with some of my colleagues who were pretty much going through the same thing. After you're done, a kind of malaise sets in. You feel like you should be working on your dissertation but hey, guess what fucknuts, the thing is done and you're supposed to be living life again. I just didn't feel like it. It gets better as time goes on, but be prepared and oh yeah, the job market sucks.

I had the same problem a few years back. I mentio...

2009-09-12T13:01:47.476-07:00

I had the same problem a few years back. I mentioned to my partner that I was having a hard time getting up in the morning to go to school and got a very concerned response. In retrospect that sounds like a symptom of "real" depression, but that's not what I was meaning to say - I just didn't want to be doing my research, I was happily enjoying the rest of my life.

Congrats on having only 3 months left! Keep us updated on your progress.

Hi PD, just found your site from PG forum! These s...

2009-09-09T07:30:20.641-07:00

Hi PD, just found your site from PG forum! These symptoms totally explain how I feel most of the time!! It feels so stupid to feel depressed just about one area of life, when otherwise you're perfectly happy with everything else! I really don't think my partner or family fully understand that, if I'm upset or stressed, they assume i'm unhappy with everything! very frustrating! only 3 months left though (if i can close firefox and open word....) :) Thanks for this, i'll get you bookmarked!

Hey, glad it helped! I've never blogged befor...

2009-08-28T16:21:06.220-07:00

Hey, glad it helped! I've never blogged before - I'm usually pretty private - but it's been surprisingly useful for me too just to write all of this out. Thanks for the comment and come back soon!

Wow, just by reading your entry I feel a lot bette...

2009-08-28T01:26:57.397-07:00

Wow, just by reading your entry I feel a lot better. Finally I found someone who has the same problems! :-)
Thanks for posting your experiences here!

Haha, no miracle pill that I know of, but maybe I ...

2009-08-23T17:08:17.976-07:00

Haha, no miracle pill that I know of, but maybe I should switch careers and focus on making one.

Thanks for commenting and welcome to the blog!

Wow, I totally have PhD depression. Is there a mi...

2009-08-21T02:25:18.271-07:00

Wow, I totally have PhD depression. Is there a miracle pill for it?