Comments on: Post dissertation stress disorder http://blog.mathemagenic.com/2009/06/10/post-dissertation-stress-disorder/ Lilia Efimova on personal productivity in knowledge-intensive environments, weblog research, knowledge management, PhD, serendipity and lack of work-life balance... Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:17:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 By: Erica http://blog.mathemagenic.com/2009/06/10/post-dissertation-stress-disorder/comment-page-1/#comment-29788 Erica Wed, 23 Jun 2010 20:04:19 +0000 http://blog.mathemagenic.com/?p=2524#comment-29788 Hi Lilia, My diss defense is next week and I feel some similar emotions. We had this big project that took years to birth (instead of "only" nine months) and all of a sudden, it is here and almost gone. Even if it involved research on other people and guidance from other people, it was still just a bunch of mental concepts on paper. And now the energy that went into the coalescing of that pinnacle of scholastic achievement is somewhat diffuse. The goal has been achieved, so now what? With a baby, one's sense of purpose is clear once the baby is born, you take care of it and nurture it. With a dissertation, one's sense of purpose is less clear unless one jumps right into a job. So there is a sense of limbo and a bit of "where am I and what am I doing now?" but I trust it is just a transition. We need a real break after all that hard work and yet there are often things to catch up on (as you point out). It is like being half on vacation and half working and not being satisfied with either. One friend told me I should head to a beach and I have to say that the idea is quite tantalizing! I have found that "working" (playing) in my garden and doing other little creative projects is quite therapeutic. Everyone is different though. Hi Lilia, My diss defense is next week and I feel some similar emotions. We had this big project that took years to birth (instead of “only” nine months) and all of a sudden, it is here and almost gone. Even if it involved research on other people and guidance from other people, it was still just a bunch of mental concepts on paper. And now the energy that went into the coalescing of that pinnacle of scholastic achievement is somewhat diffuse. The goal has been achieved, so now what? With a baby, one’s sense of purpose is clear once the baby is born, you take care of it and nurture it. With a dissertation, one’s sense of purpose is less clear unless one jumps right into a job. So there is a sense of limbo and a bit of “where am I and what am I doing now?” but I trust it is just a transition. We need a real break after all that hard work and yet there are often things to catch up on (as you point out). It is like being half on vacation and half working and not being satisfied with either. One friend told me I should head to a beach and I have to say that the idea is quite tantalizing! I have found that “working” (playing) in my garden and doing other little creative projects is quite therapeutic. Everyone is different though.

]]> By: Amy http://blog.mathemagenic.com/2009/06/10/post-dissertation-stress-disorder/comment-page-1/#comment-23402 Amy Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:11:55 +0000 http://blog.mathemagenic.com/?p=2524#comment-23402 Hi, Lilia, I was warned about the stress/depression after I passed my defense, but it didn't help. I also stumbled on the concept of post-tenure depression as I searched the web for others suffering this odd let-down where nothing is really wrong, but nothing feels right. How scary to think that this is just one of the many stages on the emotional roller-coaster we've put ourselves on! Anyway, hang in there. You're not alone. A Hi, Lilia, I was warned about the stress/depression after I passed my defense, but it didn’t help. I also stumbled on the concept of post-tenure depression as I searched the web for others suffering this odd let-down where nothing is really wrong, but nothing feels right. How scary to think that this is just one of the many stages on the emotional roller-coaster we’ve put ourselves on! Anyway, hang in there. You’re not alone.

A

]]> By: Carla Verwijs http://blog.mathemagenic.com/2009/06/10/post-dissertation-stress-disorder/comment-page-1/#comment-21664 Carla Verwijs Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:54:06 +0000 http://blog.mathemagenic.com/?p=2524#comment-21664 Hi Lilia, I recognise what you write about the stress around finishing the PhD. I took a week off, went on holidays and it really helped me to feel better. I didn't however have a partner or child with expectations, so that was probably easier to do. Rest a lot, find a new goal and enjoy the day of defence (it's like a wedding day, on your own). Hi Lilia, I recognise what you write about the stress around finishing the PhD. I took a week off, went on holidays and it really helped me to feel better. I didn’t however have a partner or child with expectations, so that was probably easier to do. Rest a lot, find a new goal and enjoy the day of defence (it’s like a wedding day, on your own).

]]>