This Career Development Session by Livia de Picker, Belgium, and Jelena Brasanac, Germany, was recorded on 22 September 2024 at the 37th ECNP Congress in Milan, Italy.
The "mid-PhD crisis" is a common yet often unspoken challenge that many PhD researchers face during the middle phase of their PhD journey. This critical period typically occurs after the initial enthusiasm fades and before the final stages of dissertation writing and defense. During this time, PhD researchers may encounter a range of difficulties that could significantly impact their academic progress and personal well-being. This talk examines key characteristics of the mid-PhD crisis, such as research challenges, self-doubt, loss of motivation, isolation, and mental health problems. Drawing on the collective knowledge of the academic mental health community, practical approaches to face this multifaceted problem are explored.
Strategies discussed include building a strong support network and connecting with peers, taking care of mental health and seeking support, having regular breaks and interests outside the PhD project, as well as setting realistic goals and defining measures of success.
Overall, this session aims to provide PhD researchers with an awareness of the non-linear nature of the PhD journey and equip them with tools to support themselves and their peers, fostering a more nurturing and healthier academic environment.
Views and opinions expressed in these videos are those of the presenters and do not necessarily reflect the official position of ECNP. The content of these videos should not be used in any way as the basis for treatment decisions.
