The PhD Comedown - why does it happen, when does it strike, and how can you be ready for it?

The morning after I passed my viva I sat, alone, at breakfast in a hotel jealously watching families and couples eating together.

What was wrong with me??

Only last night I was elated! I’d achieved something that had taken nearly a decade due to two failed relationships, one miscarriage, losing my home, self-funding, financial hardship, and a chronic illness triggered by hepatitis. I’d silenced my schoolteachers who’d labelled me stupid.

Until a day prior all I’d dreamt of was this moment. Now I felt lonely, ungrateful, and deflated.? My PhD had been my anchor, the constant in my life when everything else was falling apart. I hoped a PhD would erase my past and transform my life as others had promised. ?

It didn’t.

In the decades that have followed these feelings have receded and I’m able to take pride in my achievements.

This helps me support my doctoral students, examine PhDs, and train supervisors. ?From them I’ve learned about people whose relationships have ended shortly after they got their PhD; who found the doctoral process so debilitating they abandoned academia after graduating; who were bereaved; or whose mental or physical health problems suddenly worsened the moment their studies stopped.

People tell me it's as if everything else outside the PhD was on pause or holding its breath until the a set point towards the end of the postgraduate journey. Which, until this point, could be ignored or managed. But once that significant PhD moment arrived suddenly everything either fell apart, or was like an unstoppable wave rushing in.

There’s a name for this situation – The PhD comedown

And we need to talk about it because it isn’t unusual, can be distressing and confusing, and may be masking other significant issues. Left unaddressed it may lead to poor decision-making, not seeking support, or worsening circumstances.

For most of us PhD comedown is an entirely normal and predictable reaction to an incredibly focused period of study where so much time, and energy is located.??

Indeed, even if at times we hated some or all of the doctoral process, we might find ourselves mourning the ending of our PhD while being uncertain of our new ‘doctor’ identity.

PhD Comedown can strike at any time after submitting your thesis, pre or post viva, or following graduation.?

Alongside the positives that you’ll be feeling (relief, pride, excitement and hope) it is common to simultaneously feel flat, exhausted, strung out, directionless, empty, uncertain and tearful.

Depending on your circumstances this may last for a matter of days or could stretch into months.

Who’s more likely to be impacted by PhD Comedown?

If you struggled through your studies, had poor supervision, a particularly tough viva, major revisions, or are in dispute with your university you may also feel angry or anxious.??

If you are disabled, chronically sick, or have a mental health condition; are self-funding or worked part time throughout your studies; are a parent or carer; an International Scholar; are Black, Indigenous or a Person of Colour; poor; LGBTQ; a woman; a refugee; or otherwise marginalised you may be particularly at risk due to the inequalities that will have underpinned your doctoral studies.??

Anyone whose been studying within an environment of bullying and harassment may struggle to celebrate successes having been ground down by an abusive environment.?

Meanwhile, if other problems or life events were never acknowledged nor supported during your studies it’s common to find, as I did, they’re still waiting for you.

This may come as a shock, given we’re expected to overcome adversity, ignore structural barriers, and swiftly recover from problems.?

Not everything has a solution and it’s unrealistic to expect or suggest the PhD can fulfil that role.

And yet that's the message postgraduates are given throughout their studies. It's often the thing that entices them in to begin with.

The PhD will transform everything - you, your prospects, your status.

Of course it can feel very different when reality hits at set points in the PhD journey. Achievements remain, but perhaps some of the more unrealistic dreams begin to be recognised. Which can be very worrying and painful.

Why do so many people experience PhD Comedown?

Currently we don’t prepare doctoral students adequately for what comes after submission, the viva or graduation.?That may be on big issues like future career prospects, recognising and sharing the skills learned from the PhD, job applications and more. Or the more personal feelings that come with PhD Comedown.

Without a range of options to consider, particularly careers outside universities, it’s easy to feel trapped. Not least if you discover the university jobs you expected, and that your degree qualifies you for, aren’t available.??

Which brings us onto the crisis of precarity and competitiveness within universities. While we’re busy offering increasingly more PhDs we do not adequately buffer these with pastoral care, careers advice and training in more than just passing a viva.

Nor have we created fairly paid and secure jobs across universities that those with PhDs might want to do. Rising rates of workplace pressure and inevitable mental distress for supervisors and students result in limited opportunities to provide advice.?

Should we talk about PhD Comedown?

The risk in discussing either PhD comedown or the wider problems inherent in universities is doctoral candidates may become demotivated or anxious about their future.?

Supervisors rightly worry about their pastoral roles expanding without additional training, supervision, time, or pay in place to deliver diverse, accessible and timely assistance.

Challenging PhD Comedown

There are ways we might fix this, although some are easier than others.??

We can present the PhD journey as something that doesn’t end with submission, a viva or graduation and alert students that during these key moments they may well feel some or all the symptoms described above.? Noting how this is part of a process and solutions such as planning celebrations, timetabling a break, seeking support for mental or physical health problems (if needed), or talking to others about what to expect can offset negativity; as can honouring strong feelings associated with the ending of a significant life experience.??

The whole of the postgraduate journey can work towards acquiring, documenting and recognising the different skills needed to become a PhD, which includes noting achievements throughout the process as it can be easy to overlook or forget these over time.

We can also improve student pastoral care with training on safety and wellbeing needs during their studies; instruction on how PhDs can be difficult and knowing when and where to seek support; while challenging the myth that suffering throughout your PhD is a badge of honour to pin on your graduation gown.?

All of us feel stronger and less isolated if when reassured we’re not alone. Sharing our stories of how we coped when we got our doctorates can be reassuring, cheering, inspiring and even raise a smile during uncertain times.

Crucially if someone is struggling, these stories may also point them to any care they need; while reminding them they have managed something wonderful they will always get to keep.

If you're worrying about PhD Comedown, or currently in the midst of it, don't worry. Embrace it as an understandable part of the journey and remain confident you will be able to appreciate and share all your achievements as time moves on.

A PhD is something precious that always belongs to you - and you get to keep forever.?

If you need support now

Student Minds

NUS

Education Support

Office of the Independent Adjudicator

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A version of this first appeared in the Times Higher Education on 18.11.19.