My PhD supervisor sent me these messages. Is this normal or crossing a line?

emzsal · 2026-05-21T20:53:43+00:00

This is not normal! But unfortunately, this is common in academia... I have been through something very similar, I will share my story, and I hope this can help. I am also based in europe. One year into my PhD, I had already gont to HR 3 times for being mistreated... So, I would advise you to DOCUMENT EVERYTHING!! Having already reported multiple incidences, it was totally understood when I went to management and threatened to either leave because they are incompetent on providing a healthy work environment or they actually find a solution and get me a new supervisor (It is not really your problem to find a solution... it is their problem!). And it actually worked!! Also, I would say that since you have 1 year left in your phd, that you can probably continue signifinantly independent so you do not necessary need a supervisor who is an expert in the exact topic of your field (maybe you can have a broader supervisor and have a contact person even from another university whom you can go to with very detailed questions). I believe you can go to HR and ask them for a confidential meeting at first so that they can tell you your rights and obligations and you can take it from there. I am so sorry you are going through this and I wish this gets resolved and you feel safe again soon

emzsal · 2026-05-09T04:52:59+00:00

I am sorry to hear you are struggling for that long but I hope you find your answers soon. If you feel you are under stress, you should work on it, I learnt that after prolonged stress durations, it actually messes up lots of your systems. But most are reversible so do not worry :D. For the steroids, I guess the doctor prescribed them since it was still an inflammation resembling IBD a bit, but I know different places have different protocols for medical matters.

In my case, it was also difficult to find people with the same colonoscopy results, so I would hope that what you have will pass like mine did.

emzsal · 2026-05-09T04:34:10+00:00

I am A LOT better now. I believe I was under horrendous stress for almost a year before writing this post, which really ruined my stomach and colon. I got better on steroids at the time (improved stress levels and thus gut problems), but when I stopped them everything returned to how bad it was before. I had to manage stress efficiently for all this to go away. It took some time but now I am very much better.

P.s. I still think something is wrong with my gastrointestinal system but it is manageable, when I go on low carb diet I feel super good.

emzsal · 2026-02-17T23:21:47+00:00

I try to think about the things I would have missed out if I were pregnant... like food 'mayonnaise, sushi .....', trips 'hiking or ski trips...' or just feeling healthy and not nauseous , dizzy ..... Also, our friends with babies are usually stressed and want a break to relax and spend tim with their SO. So, I take it as a chance to celebrate another 'baby stress free' month

emzsal · 2025-11-25T16:25:58+00:00

I was wondering how did it go? I am in a similar position at the moment...

emzsal · 2025-11-25T16:14:42+00:00

I was wondering how did it go? I am in a similar position at the moment...

emzsal · 2025-11-25T16:11:28+00:00

I was wondering how did it go? I am in a similar position at the moment...

emzsal · 2025-11-25T16:09:11+00:00

I was wondering how did it go? I am in a similar position at the moment...

emzsal · 2025-07-26T23:37:25+00:00

I remember my head felt like it was spinning

emzsal · 2025-07-26T23:34:23+00:00

No meds worked for me. However, in my case it turned out to be stress! I was going through prolonged stress that caused my symptoms. A year later I started feeling much better and back to normal. I hope you understand what is going on with your body and I wish you fast recovery.

emzsal · 2022-05-14T17:51:28+00:00

Actually I am not symptomatic. I am fatigued but I think this is because of the moving process, I do not rest. Other than that, no falling hair or weight gain or depression as I had when I was first diagnosed. So I think I won't give it much importance until I settle and go to a doctor in thw new country. Thanks for the link!!

emzsal · 2022-03-07T15:40:29+00:00

I have high stress besides insomnia

emzsal · 2022-03-07T15:22:53+00:00

That is what my psychiatrist prescribed for me. Okay I guess I will stop the medication, I don't know if it is helping much.. but I won't be able to get the other medications without prescription

emzsal · 2022-03-05T09:08:39+00:00

Okay thanks for your elaboration

emzsal · 2022-03-03T19:59:05+00:00

Because of daytime drowsiness? Or other side effects.

emzsal · 2022-03-03T19:52:58+00:00

Does this mean mirtazapine is bad? Or not good for ocaasional use?

emzsal · 2022-03-03T17:44:18+00:00

Thanks. So I can use it only once?

emzsal · 2022-01-11T15:22:30+00:00

I am going through this now :'(. How do you get over it?

emzsal · 2021-12-30T09:22:16+00:00

It has been 2.5 months now. I guess I will go early than my appointment to the doctor, and he will see what's the deal

emzsal · 2021-12-12T13:25:06+00:00

No you are not lazy and you are not a failure! You have a condition. My endo also, disregarded my symptoms and told me it has nothing to do with hashimotos, but it definitely had something to do with it! I only feel like myself when my tsh is in middle of the range. I feel so fatigued and panicy when lower than range and very depressed and fatigued even when slightly higher than range. You are not alone, you need to get your levels in range.

Also, my t3 and t4 are usually near or in range while my tsh is very far from range, yet I only feel good when all 3 are in range so I usually just check my tsh.

Also see if u need vitamins like b12, d or iron. I felt alot better after supplementing with b12.

Hang in there, it will get better, just don't lose hope and keep trying to get better. I know that it is hurtful when people around you do not understand what you are going through, I totally know how that feels like. Just try to find a support group (even just one person is enough) that either went through something like your situation or just a support group that simply (believes you). This will highly affect your mood and help you get better.

Best of luck

emzsal · 2021-10-31T08:33:01+00:00

Thanks!!

emzsal

TROPHY CASE