light mode dark mode

Doctoral student with extended studies, severely disinterested in learning and emotionally unstable, how to improve?

severe_illness meaninglessness constant_pain overeating self-attack
readership9864 favorite42 forward3
Doctoral student with extended studies, severely disinterested in learning and emotionally unstable, how to improve? By Anonymous | Published on December 18, 2024

A 33-year-old female Ph.D. student, currently on a doctoral extension, recently suffered from a severe illness. After recovering, I suddenly realized that what I do has no meaning, and I live in constant pain. I don't want to write papers, collect data, or read literature. I feel that what I do is garbage. I think I am useless except for doing experiments, and if I can't obtain my Ph.D., my life will collapse. Recently, I have experienced repetitive overeating with guilt and self-attack, and it has escalated to fixating on an issue and quarreling with people around me, attacking my family, staying up late, and being forgetful. How can I get my life back on track, and how can I regain the courage to move forward?

Avery Johnson Avery Johnson A total of 7421 people have been helped

Hello, questioner. I'm Whale Social Worker 53 Hz.

Best wishes to the questioner!

Maybe it's the sudden change from your usual, step-by-step routine that's left you feeling lost, like you've lost track of what you've done and as if you've done nothing, and like there's no meaning in what you're doing now. You don't want anything, you just want to get by.

It's a shame when life gets in the way of getting that doctorate. In today's society, the doctorate is held by the smallest group of people, followed by the master's degree, and then the bachelor's degree.

The data also shows that people who can get a master's degree are really impressive, not to mention those who can get a doctorate. The questioner is really talented. What the questioner is doing now is an experiment that many people won't be able to do. In our eyes, the questioner is a true high achiever.

The question asker can use the extension period to think about their life. They can listen to other people's ideas, but they shouldn't accept them without question. The question asker's own thoughts about their life should be the main priority.

If you're feeling irritable and want to eat, you can choose to exercise, go for a run, go swimming, etc. All of these can help you relax and relieve your mood. You can also seek help from a professional counselor, who can give you useful content and work with you to complete your career plan.

All the best, Yi Xinli, Whale Social Worker

Helpful to meHelpful to me 664
disapprovedisapprove0
Hermione Hermione A total of 344 people have been helped

Hello, question asker.

I'll give you a hug from afar to warm your anxious, irritable heart that is filled with extreme pessimism and disgust for the world!

You're not sure what illness you've had or how long it's lasted. It seems likely that it's related to

You're also dealing with academic apathy, and the so-called psychological impact on the body has led to poor results.

I get the sense that you put a lot of effort into your studies, and the pressure of the delayed doctorate

It's seriously undermining your self-esteem, leaving you feeling helpless and powerless, and plunging you into a deep state of self-reproach and despair.

Right?

A quick look at the symptoms you're currently experiencing:

Cognitive: low self-esteem, a sense of meaninglessness and worthlessness, and some pretty serious doubts about your identity.

Extreme self-deprecation:

Second, emotionally, anxiety and depression are linked, and he gets easily annoyed and has started attacking his family.

Some anxieties are relieved by overeating.

Third, social functioning: severe withdrawal, slow in action.

I'm not sure how long this has been going on. If it's been more than three weeks, it's probably time to consider some serious psychological issues.

If there's suicidal ideation, we need to consider the likelihood of depression.

What's the best way to handle this situation?

First, figure out what's causing the stress that's leading to these symptoms.

Prioritize, assess, and solve the difficulty in a way that can be handled step by step.

For instance, if it's an external factor:

It might be a good idea to find some social support that can help, like some seniors who graduated from the same university and department.

Or you could try talking to your advisor more to see if they can help you out with your thesis.

If it's an internal factor and you have high expectations for your thesis and are perfectionistic,

You might want to think about lowering your standards and requirements, and even splitting the thesis into several parts, and then working on them one at a time.

This is part of the solution.

On top of that, some tough problems might seem complicated at first, but they might not be as complex as they seem. How do you plan for this?

If you're dealing with emotional issues, you might want to check out a professional outpatient clinic for a diagnosis.

If you need to take medicine, you should think about drug therapy. You can also try deep breathing and relaxation exercises if you need to adjust yourself.

If you're struggling with emotional issues, you might want to consider speaking with a professional. They can help you identify the root cause of your problem and suggest ways to manage it.

You can also try gradual muscle relaxation exercises (there are lots of similar scripts online) and behavioral therapy.

If you need medication, think about drug therapy. If you need to adjust your approach, try deep breathing and relaxation exercises.

Progressive muscle relaxation exercises (you can find similar scripts online), with the help of behavioral therapy.

You've got a good handle on managing your emotions.

As a final note, the above analysis and suggestions are for informational purposes only. If you're looking for more effective help, we recommend considering professional support.

Can I help you out of a career slump?

I'm Consultant Yao, and I'm here to support you!

Helpful to meHelpful to me 600
disapprovedisapprove0
Benjamin Phillips Benjamin Phillips A total of 9085 people have been helped

The plan was once beautiful: to end this long period of study and truly step into a life of one's own. To have one's own moment of glory!

But a deferral presents an exciting opportunity to make changes to one's plan!

Failure is just another stepping stone on the path to success! We all face setbacks, but we can choose to learn and grow from them. Failure is not a descent into the abyss. Our past experiences shape who we are today, and while we can't change the past, we can decide how we face the future.

Embrace failure! It's not something to be feared, but rather something to learn from. When we struggle with negative emotions, constantly set obstacles for ourselves, and avoid what has disappointed us in the past, we miss out on the chance to grow. Failure is not one-size-fits-all. It's something we all face at one point or another. The key is to recognize it, learn from it, and move on.

The reason for the extension of the doctorate is that you did not do well at some point in the past, but it does not mean that you are not capable of doing well. A girl who can persevere with her doctorate has her own courage and planning. We all know that the last 10% is the most difficult, and we all know that the final moment is the most stressful, whether it is our own efforts or the opinions of our family, which all cause us tremendous pressure. But you can do it!

This causes us to attach incredible expectations to the things we work hard for, so that the slightest mistake leads to self-destruction.

Absolutely not! You can absolutely continue to work hard for your future. The price of failure is not as severe as you might think.

The sun will still rise, and you will devote yourself to the life you have planned for yourself. You may have regrets, but you have also worked hard, and that's something to be proud of!

What was the real reason for choosing to study for a doctorate in the first place? Was it just for a piece of paper? Absolutely not! It was about surpassing oneself. If you don't have something that is your own, then a doctorate is really just a piece of paper. What we pursue in life is everything we want for ourselves, and it's about surpassing oneself!

You can absolutely reconcile yourself with failure! All you have to do is bring all your perceptions back to a normal dimension. Look at the reasons why you started your doctorate and what you really want. Then, you'll be able to reconcile yourself with failure.

Sometimes it's really exhausting, and the countless emotional pressures can make people want to collapse, to escape completely, and then gather their thoughts to start again. But there's no point in studying in this state! It will only deepen your self-doubt.

Go for a walk, see the scenery you missed because of your hard work, and talk to your inner self. Don't be afraid of failing, because what you get from your hard work is a sense of self-transcendence!

When you're feeling stuck, don't stress about making a decision right away. This is a great time to chat with yourself. Take a deep breath and let go of the pressure. You'll be ready to take on the world when you're ready to pick up where you left off!

Embrace your life and enjoy it to the fullest! Learn from your mistakes and succeed from your failures!

It's time to let go of your obsessions and face the challenges of the future with a fresh, new you!

Helpful to meHelpful to me 415
disapprovedisapprove0
Isabella Marie Roberts Isabella Marie Roberts A total of 8075 people have been helped

Hello, question asker! First of all, congratulations on entering the stage of self-exploration and practice—it's an exciting time!

This is actually a good thing for you!

Now for the fun part!

First, let's dive into self-awareness and self-practice!

Mark Twain once said, "There are two most important days in your life: the first is the day you are born, and the other is the day you find out why." That is, finding the meaning of your life!

Now for the really exciting part!

Now for the really exciting part!

Psychology has some great news for us! It tells us that a sense of meaning comes from self-practice. And self-practice comes from recognizing your potential and effectively developing it. This causes positive change and helps you find a successful path in life.

However, in real life, the vast majority of people do not put this into practice themselves. They work hard and can endure hardship, but they are always in a state of coping, dealing with, and carrying out the tasks assigned to them by others. They pursue the goals set by others and even find ways to please themselves with the reward models set by others. They fill their lives to the brim, but they have less time for self-exploration, self-planning, and self-practice.

This is a wonderful opportunity for growth and discovery! By stepping out of your comfort zone and exploring your life in a new way, you're embarking on a journey of self-practice and self-discovery.

Second, it's time to dive deep and understand the source of those negative emotions!

As we embark on our journey of self-discovery, we may encounter a few bumps along the way. It's totally normal to feel a bit anxious, lost, or even doubt our self-worth. After all, self-exploration is a process of uncovering our true path, and it's a journey that requires us to untangle the mysteries of life and face ourselves head-on. It's like standing at a crossroads, not knowing which direction to choose. But, as we gain clarity about our inner desires, we'll also gain the wisdom to navigate the pain of choice.

The emotions generated during this process are a normal psychological reaction. And guess what? Research shows that as many as 70% of people will experience this state of mind at some point in their lives!

Now for the fun part!

Therefore, we must try to accept and understand these negative emotions, which arise from psychological factors beyond our control. Although negative emotions make us feel uncomfortable, they are also an important part of our body and an important way for us to perceive the world. If we forcibly suppress negative emotions, they may well rebound, causing even more serious internal damage. But we can choose to embrace these emotions and use them as an opportunity to grow!

Now for the fun part! Third, face the self-exploration stage positively.

Now for the fun part! It's time to let go of the things holding you back and create a space for yourself to explore your inner needs, understand what you truly want to do, and see what your strengths and weaknesses are. Don't let negative emotions get in the way. Let your brain focus on the things that matter most to you!

Since we're doing some self-exploration of our lives, it's time to let go of some unnecessary burdens and create a space of focus for ourselves! We can explore our inner needs carefully and patiently, understand what we really want to do, and see what our strengths and weaknesses are. Don't let negative emotions interfere, and let your brain spend more resources on the things you need to think about intently.

As you go through this process, you'll find that you can replace anxiety with positive emotions! This information will help you feel better in the face of negative emotions. For example, think about the advantages you have that others don't. Keep these advantages in mind for a long time. Activate them when you are anxious, and never let your vulnerable inner parts take over!

Helpful to meHelpful to me 860
disapprovedisapprove0
Octavia Harris Octavia Harris A total of 1557 people have been helped

Good day.

You may believe that you desire to resume your previous lifestyle, but in reality, you are resisting, or perhaps more accurately, you are afraid. You appear reluctant to confront reality because you "dare not," and this is manifested in annoyance, impatience, fear of "change," hostility, decadence, and anxiety. You reject the "good" because you are afraid, and you seem unreasonable. In essence, there is only one issue, and that is fear.

What are the root causes of your fear, and how can you overcome them? These are the logical questions we address in order to resolve the issue.

Your subconscious mind is preoccupied with the notion that upon graduation, the protective cocoon of academia will no longer shield you from the challenges and scrutiny of the real world. Your subconscious is also riddled with self-doubt, leading you to feel inadequate and ashamed. At the same time, you feel deeply rejected. Your interpersonal relationships are on the back burner due to fear, and they are thin, fragile, cold, and forgotten, even though you may crave deeper connections.

In this moment, your energy, intelligence, and physical strength are all consumed by such fear and anxiety, which has the effect of making your body weak, your spirit heavy, your mood tense, and it seems as if you can see the future.

It is essential to reassess your current situation, whether it be your academic pursuits, interpersonal relationships, emotional state, personal values, or sense of self-worth. It is crucial to re-experience these aspects and gain a more accurate understanding of your true capabilities. Your perception of yourself is currently inaccurate. It is based on your self-evaluation and the immediate observations and feelings you experience. However, this perception does not reflect the reality of your abilities and potential. If you can alter your self-evaluation and perception of others and society, including the values and influence of role models, significant changes will occur. The external environment and the people in it have remained constant. However, your internal feelings and perceptions have shifted. You are less fearful, negative, and ashamed. Your strength and vitality will return. A secure and optimistic individual is naturally interested, motivated, and energetic.

Helpful to meHelpful to me 970
disapprovedisapprove0

Comments

avatar
Kirk Thomas Growth is a process of building resilience and strength.

I can understand how overwhelming and distressing this period must be for you. It's important to recognize that your feelings are valid, and it's okay to seek help. Maybe it's time to take a step back and reassess what brings meaning to your life. Consider speaking with a counselor or therapist who can provide support and guidance as you navigate through these challenges.

avatar
Floyd Jackson Life is a battle for truth and justice.

Feeling like your work lacks value and facing the pressure of completing your Ph.D. can be incredibly tough. Remember, it's alright to feel lost sometimes; everyone does. Perhaps focusing on small, manageable goals could help rebuild your confidence. Take each day at a time and celebrate even the smallest achievements. Also, connecting with peers who might share similar experiences can offer comfort and encouragement.

avatar
Uriah Anderson We do not grow absolutely, chronologically. We grow sometimes in one dimension, and not in another; unevenly. We grow partially. We are relative. We are mature in one realm, childish in another.

It sounds like you're carrying a heavy burden, and it's affecting many aspects of your life. It's crucial to address both your mental and physical health. Try to establish a routine that includes activities unrelated to your studies, which can bring you joy and relaxation. Speaking to a professional about your eating habits and sleep patterns could also be beneficial. Taking care of yourself is not a luxury but a necessity.

avatar
Dawn Thomas The power of honesty lies in its ability to inspire.

Life can sometimes seem unbearable, especially when we put so much pressure on ourselves. Please know that there's no shame in asking for help. Reaching out to a mental health professional can provide you with strategies to cope with your emotions more effectively. Additionally, consider confiding in trusted friends or family members who can offer emotional support during this difficult time. Remember, you don't have to go through this alone.

More from Soul Share Cove

This feature is under maintenance and update.
Close