Hello iPad user! You should definitelydownload and try our free iPad app!

Published
by
Wed, Dec 14 2011 06:58:25

Do PhD students have more mental health issues?

...and if so, why?

  1. qui_oui
    #PhDchat, do PhD students have lots of issues with depression, anxiety, stress etc.? (I assume yes) And if so, why? (I'm writing a post)
    Melonie Fullick
    Tue, Dec 13 2011 15:25:25
    0 likes
     · 
    0 comments
  2. CitoyenViau
    @qui_oui solitude, absence de perspective quand au cheminement et sa durée...
    L.Viau
    Tue, Dec 13 2011 15:26:28
    0 likes
     · 
    0 comments
  3. DanConnell
    @qui_oui It can be, in my experience, a very isolated experience. Also, a sense of performing a perfunctory act, yet such imp. placed on it.
    Daniel J. Connell
    Tue, Dec 13 2011 15:27:42
    0 likes
     · 
    0 comments
  4. KeethInk
    @qui_oui Yes. Absolutely.
    Sara Keeth
    Tue, Dec 13 2011 15:31:37
    0 likes
     · 
    0 comments
  5. WorstProfEver
    @qui_oui The culture of academia induces depression. Constant instability, overwork, for what? Maslow's worst nightmare.
    Amanda Krauss
    Tue, Dec 13 2011 15:32:12
    0 likes
     · 
    0 comments
  6. qui_oui
    @WorstProfEver yes I agree, I'm trying to show how structural stuff links to the "culture" and to the way people assess themselves
    Melonie Fullick
    Tue, Dec 13 2011 15:33:25
    0 likes
     · 
    0 comments
  7. DeeClayton
    @qui_oui Only 2 mths into PhD w. 17 yrs work exp. IMHO phd hard work but difft from work, you are so solo really need good coping skills.
    Dee
    Tue, Dec 13 2011 15:33:30
    0 likes
     · 
    0 comments
  8. CitoyenViau
    @qui_oui conciliation work-research-family; absence of long term professional integration perspective; lack of supervision
    L.Viau
    Tue, Dec 13 2011 15:34:51
    0 likes
     · 
    0 comments
  9. literarychica
    @qui_oui Yes. Yes. Yes. I could go on for days about this.
    Liana Silva
    Tue, Dec 13 2011 15:34:54
    0 likes
     · 
    0 comments
  10. KeethInk
    @qui_oui add insecurity, unclear guidelines, spatial issues (shared/no office), child care issues (changing schedules), $ issues, ...
    Sara Keeth
    Tue, Dec 13 2011 15:35:20
    0 likes
     · 
    0 comments
  11. literarychica
    @qui_oui I think all of this comes into play: high (unclear) expectations, disappointment, overworked, uncertain job prospects...
    Liana Silva
    Tue, Dec 13 2011 15:35:54
    0 likes
     · 
    0 comments
  12. literarychica
    @KeethInk @qui_oui I'll add to this the myth of the "perfect grad student": perfect grad student always reading, always thinking, full-time+
    Liana Silva
    Tue, Dec 13 2011 15:39:22
    0 likes
     · 
    0 comments
  13. WorstProfEver
    @qui_oui Well, given the constant ego-battering, you either have to become a violent narcissist to survive, or get depressed. Or both.
    Amanda Krauss
    Tue, Dec 13 2011 15:40:11
    0 likes
     · 
    0 comments
  14. literarychica
    @KeethInk @qui_oui & more ideas of what the perfect grad student looks like, passed down to us by professors/peers or made up in our heads.
    Liana Silva
    Tue, Dec 13 2011 15:40:31
    0 likes
     · 
    0 comments
  15. PlashingVole
    @qui_oui I definitely struggled. Steep learning curve, isolation, doubt, debt... The list goes on.
    Plashing Vole
    Tue, Dec 13 2011 15:40:49
    0 likes
     · 
    0 comments
  16. WorstProfEver
    @qui_oui And agree, so much isolation, such ridiculous demands....it really is like an abusive relationship IMHO.
    Amanda Krauss
    Tue, Dec 13 2011 15:41:19
    0 likes
     · 
    0 comments
  17. KeethInk
    @qui_oui in my own unscientific anecdotal survey, large % of PhD students are taking anti-depress meds.
    Sara Keeth
    Tue, Dec 13 2011 15:41:48
    0 likes
     · 
    0 comments
  18. WorstProfEver
    @qui_oui @KeethInk FYI that continues, and probably increases, post-PhD. Which is one reason I think it's a structural problem.
    Amanda Krauss
    Tue, Dec 13 2011 15:42:57
    0 likes
     · 
    0 comments
  19. sarahbutcher
    @qui_oui Lack of self confidence, overwhelmed with responsibility of such a project are all reasons which have hit me at times! #PhDchat
    sarahbutcher
    Tue, Dec 13 2011 15:46:14
    0 likes
     · 
    0 comments
  20. KeethInk
    @qui_oui @qui_oui @WorstProfEver @literarychica going to go drown my sorrows in ice cream now...
    Sara Keeth
    Tue, Dec 13 2011 15:47:24
    0 likes
     · 
    0 comments
  21. mrsalander
    @KeethInk @qui_oui @WorstProfEver @literarychica Better than alcohol.. right? ::off to buy wine::
    Vanessa Alander
    Tue, Dec 13 2011 15:48:19
    0 likes
     · 
    0 comments
  22. WorstProfEver
    @qui_oui @KeethInk Yes, it is, but again, I think it points to an institutional problem...
    Amanda Krauss
    Tue, Dec 13 2011 15:49:00
    0 likes
     · 
    0 comments
  23. ianmilligan1
    @qui_oui One major root cause is financial insecurity/no money, as well as unstructured work environment and occasional work isolation.
    Ian Milligan
    Tue, Dec 13 2011 15:49:20
    0 likes
     · 
    0 comments
  24. WorstProfEver
    @mrsalander @KeethInk @qui_oui @literarychica Oh, and the self-medication, don't even get me started...MMMM, wine and ice cream.
    Amanda Krauss
    Tue, Dec 13 2011 15:49:46
    0 likes
     · 
    0 comments
  25. qui_oui
    @sarahbutcher yes, lack of self-confidence is fuelled by the environment I think.
    Melonie Fullick
    Tue, Dec 13 2011 15:50:36
    0 likes
     · 
    0 comments

Did you find this story interesting? Be the first to or comment.

Liked!
Total views
158

Are you sure?

Are you sure you want to delete this story?

Feature story