Ways to help a math PhD out of depression [closed]
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I have a friend who is having trouble in his math PhD career and is recently down with depression. He has decided to take a break from research and receive some medication. To help him recover faster and better, I am asking if anyone here with experience in helping depressed math PhDs could contribute his/her advice. Thanks in advance.
PS. If this question is more suitable on another stackexchange website, please feel free to move it there.
career
asked Feb 22 at 4:59
Fan ZhengFan Zheng
3,4421231
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closed as off-topic by Andrés E. Caicedo, Ryan Budney, მამუკა ჯიბლაძე, abx, Peter LeFanu Lumsdaine Feb 22 at 8:21
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "This question does not appear to be about research level mathematics within the scope defined in the help center." – Andrés E. Caicedo, Ryan Budney, მამუკა ჯიბლაძე, abx, Peter LeFanu Lumsdaine
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I have a friend who is having trouble in his math PhD career and is recently down with depression. He has decided to take a break from research and receive some medication. To help him recover faster and better, I am asking if anyone here with experience in helping depressed math PhDs could contribute his/her advice. Thanks in advance.
PS. If this question is more suitable on another stackexchange website, please feel free to move it there.
career
asked Feb 22 at 4:59
Fan ZhengFan Zheng
3,4421231
$endgroup$
closed as off-topic by Andrés E. Caicedo, Ryan Budney, მამუკა ჯიბლაძე, abx, Peter LeFanu Lumsdaine Feb 22 at 8:21
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "This question does not appear to be about research level mathematics within the scope defined in the help center." – Andrés E. Caicedo, Ryan Budney, მამუკა ჯიბლაძე, abx, Peter LeFanu Lumsdaine
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
3
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I believe Academia or Psychology might be more appropriate. If this person is not too depressed, they can search the web for others' experiences. I think you should repost the question elsewhere, not here. Gerhard "Out-of-scope Questions Can Be Depressing" Paseman, 2019.02.21.
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– Gerhard Paseman
Feb 22 at 5:18
17
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I agree with Gerhard that this question is a bit out of place here and may fit in better on academia stackexchange (see here for example academia.stackexchange.com/questions/28257/…), but I’d like to express sympathy for their situation and my well wishes; the life of any PhD student (but arguably pure math PhD’s more than most) can certainly be lonely at times, and I think we all understand the struggle to some extent.
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– Alec Rhea
Feb 22 at 5:40
2
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By only looking at the attention received by this question, I think it absolutely belongs here.
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– EFinat-S
Feb 22 at 15:20
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@AlecRhea Thanks. I will definitely pass your wishes to him.
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– Fan Zheng
Feb 23 at 23:20
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@FanZheng, there is a clinic in New York that treats people with severe depression using ketamine. Here's the link: ctvnews.ca/health/…
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– user25406
Feb 28 at 13:50
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I have a friend who is having trouble in his math PhD career and is recently down with depression. He has decided to take a break from research and receive some medication. To help him recover faster and better, I am asking if anyone here with experience in helping depressed math PhDs could contribute his/her advice. Thanks in advance.
PS. If this question is more suitable on another stackexchange website, please feel free to move it there.
career
asked Feb 22 at 4:59
Fan ZhengFan Zheng
3,4421231
$endgroup$
I have a friend who is having trouble in his math PhD career and is recently down with depression. He has decided to take a break from research and receive some medication. To help him recover faster and better, I am asking if anyone here with experience in helping depressed math PhDs could contribute his/her advice. Thanks in advance.
PS. If this question is more suitable on another stackexchange website, please feel free to move it there.
career
career
asked Feb 22 at 4:59
Fan ZhengFan Zheng
3,4421231
asked Feb 22 at 4:59
Fan ZhengFan Zheng
3,4421231
asked Feb 22 at 4:59
Fan ZhengFan Zheng
3,4421231
asked Feb 22 at 4:59
Fan ZhengFan Zheng
3,4421231
asked Feb 22 at 4:59
Fan ZhengFan Zheng
3,4421231
3,4421231
closed as off-topic by Andrés E. Caicedo, Ryan Budney, მამუკა ჯიბლაძე, abx, Peter LeFanu Lumsdaine Feb 22 at 8:21
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "This question does not appear to be about research level mathematics within the scope defined in the help center." – Andrés E. Caicedo, Ryan Budney, მამუკა ჯიბლაძე, abx, Peter LeFanu Lumsdaine
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
closed as off-topic by Andrés E. Caicedo, Ryan Budney, მამუკა ჯიბლაძე, abx, Peter LeFanu Lumsdaine Feb 22 at 8:21
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "This question does not appear to be about research level mathematics within the scope defined in the help center." – Andrés E. Caicedo, Ryan Budney, მამუკა ჯიბლაძე, abx, Peter LeFanu Lumsdaine
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
3
$begingroup$
I believe Academia or Psychology might be more appropriate. If this person is not too depressed, they can search the web for others' experiences. I think you should repost the question elsewhere, not here. Gerhard "Out-of-scope Questions Can Be Depressing" Paseman, 2019.02.21.
$endgroup$
– Gerhard Paseman
Feb 22 at 5:18
17
$begingroup$
I agree with Gerhard that this question is a bit out of place here and may fit in better on academia stackexchange (see here for example academia.stackexchange.com/questions/28257/…), but I’d like to express sympathy for their situation and my well wishes; the life of any PhD student (but arguably pure math PhD’s more than most) can certainly be lonely at times, and I think we all understand the struggle to some extent.
$endgroup$
– Alec Rhea
Feb 22 at 5:40
2
$begingroup$
By only looking at the attention received by this question, I think it absolutely belongs here.
$endgroup$
– EFinat-S
Feb 22 at 15:20
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@AlecRhea Thanks. I will definitely pass your wishes to him.
$endgroup$
– Fan Zheng
Feb 23 at 23:20
$begingroup$
@FanZheng, there is a clinic in New York that treats people with severe depression using ketamine. Here's the link: ctvnews.ca/health/…
$endgroup$
– user25406
Feb 28 at 13:50
add a comment |
3
$begingroup$
I believe Academia or Psychology might be more appropriate. If this person is not too depressed, they can search the web for others' experiences. I think you should repost the question elsewhere, not here. Gerhard "Out-of-scope Questions Can Be Depressing" Paseman, 2019.02.21.
$endgroup$
– Gerhard Paseman
Feb 22 at 5:18
17
$begingroup$
I agree with Gerhard that this question is a bit out of place here and may fit in better on academia stackexchange (see here for example academia.stackexchange.com/questions/28257/…), but I’d like to express sympathy for their situation and my well wishes; the life of any PhD student (but arguably pure math PhD’s more than most) can certainly be lonely at times, and I think we all understand the struggle to some extent.
$endgroup$
– Alec Rhea
Feb 22 at 5:40
2
$begingroup$
By only looking at the attention received by this question, I think it absolutely belongs here.
$endgroup$
– EFinat-S
Feb 22 at 15:20
$begingroup$
@AlecRhea Thanks. I will definitely pass your wishes to him.
$endgroup$
– Fan Zheng
Feb 23 at 23:20
$begingroup$
@FanZheng, there is a clinic in New York that treats people with severe depression using ketamine. Here's the link: ctvnews.ca/health/…
$endgroup$
– user25406
Feb 28 at 13:50
3
3
$begingroup$
I believe Academia or Psychology might be more appropriate. If this person is not too depressed, they can search the web for others' experiences. I think you should repost the question elsewhere, not here. Gerhard "Out-of-scope Questions Can Be Depressing" Paseman, 2019.02.21.
$endgroup$
– Gerhard Paseman
Feb 22 at 5:18
$begingroup$
I believe Academia or Psychology might be more appropriate. If this person is not too depressed, they can search the web for others' experiences. I think you should repost the question elsewhere, not here. Gerhard "Out-of-scope Questions Can Be Depressing" Paseman, 2019.02.21.
$endgroup$
– Gerhard Paseman
Feb 22 at 5:18
17
17
$begingroup$
I agree with Gerhard that this question is a bit out of place here and may fit in better on academia stackexchange (see here for example academia.stackexchange.com/questions/28257/…), but I’d like to express sympathy for their situation and my well wishes; the life of any PhD student (but arguably pure math PhD’s more than most) can certainly be lonely at times, and I think we all understand the struggle to some extent.
$endgroup$
– Alec Rhea
Feb 22 at 5:40
$begingroup$
I agree with Gerhard that this question is a bit out of place here and may fit in better on academia stackexchange (see here for example academia.stackexchange.com/questions/28257/…), but I’d like to express sympathy for their situation and my well wishes; the life of any PhD student (but arguably pure math PhD’s more than most) can certainly be lonely at times, and I think we all understand the struggle to some extent.
$endgroup$
– Alec Rhea
Feb 22 at 5:40
2
2
$begingroup$
By only looking at the attention received by this question, I think it absolutely belongs here.
$endgroup$
– EFinat-S
Feb 22 at 15:20
$begingroup$
By only looking at the attention received by this question, I think it absolutely belongs here.
$endgroup$
– EFinat-S
Feb 22 at 15:20
$begingroup$
@AlecRhea Thanks. I will definitely pass your wishes to him.
$endgroup$
– Fan Zheng
Feb 23 at 23:20
$begingroup$
@AlecRhea Thanks. I will definitely pass your wishes to him.
$endgroup$
– Fan Zheng
Feb 23 at 23:20
$begingroup$
@FanZheng, there is a clinic in New York that treats people with severe depression using ketamine. Here's the link: ctvnews.ca/health/…
$endgroup$
– user25406
Feb 28 at 13:50
$begingroup$
@FanZheng, there is a clinic in New York that treats people with severe depression using ketamine. Here's the link: ctvnews.ca/health/…
$endgroup$
– user25406
Feb 28 at 13:50
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
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I do have something to share. I would ask the following:
1) Is he getting well with his advisor?
2) Does he have a daily routine (i.e wake up at 8AM everyday, preparing for teaching, going to gym at 11AM, reading papers from 1PM, attending weekly seminar at 3PM, etc). This can be crucial to get someone out of the state of depression.
3) Does he have potential plans after the PhD (with or without the degree)?
If the answers are No, I would suggest taking some concrete steps now (switch to a new advisor, form a daily life routine, consider a Plan $B$ or even Plan $Z$ in case academia does not work for him).
In case he still loves doing research, I would encourage him/her talk to some mathematican in industry but still actively doing research to have a better sense how to achieve this. If I recall correctly, Yakov Eliashberg, Vladmir Berkovich and
Jeffrey Lagarias all worked at industry at some point, not to mention street names like Yitang Zhang.
answered Feb 22 at 6:10
Bombyx moriBombyx mori
3,77821846
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I personally like point 2. It can be given as a general advice which has nothing to do with depression or anything... I will save this :)
$endgroup$
– Praphulla Koushik
Feb 22 at 9:02
$begingroup$
@Fan Zheng: Just hope your friend is okay...
$endgroup$
– Bombyx mori
Feb 22 at 20:02
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@Bombyxmori I will definitely pass your regards to him.
$endgroup$
– Fan Zheng
Feb 22 at 20:20
$begingroup$
@FanZheng: I contacted Simon and he said it is okay to put his website in the link. I was worried it might have put him in the spotlight. Now I am relieved.
$endgroup$
– Bombyx mori
Feb 26 at 5:26
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
I do have something to share. I would ask the following:
1) Is he getting well with his advisor?
2) Does he have a daily routine (i.e wake up at 8AM everyday, preparing for teaching, going to gym at 11AM, reading papers from 1PM, attending weekly seminar at 3PM, etc). This can be crucial to get someone out of the state of depression.
3) Does he have potential plans after the PhD (with or without the degree)?
If the answers are No, I would suggest taking some concrete steps now (switch to a new advisor, form a daily life routine, consider a Plan $B$ or even Plan $Z$ in case academia does not work for him).
In case he still loves doing research, I would encourage him/her talk to some mathematican in industry but still actively doing research to have a better sense how to achieve this. If I recall correctly, Yakov Eliashberg, Vladmir Berkovich and
Jeffrey Lagarias all worked at industry at some point, not to mention street names like Yitang Zhang.
answered Feb 22 at 6:10
Bombyx moriBombyx mori
3,77821846
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
I personally like point 2. It can be given as a general advice which has nothing to do with depression or anything... I will save this :)
$endgroup$
– Praphulla Koushik
Feb 22 at 9:02
$begingroup$
@Fan Zheng: Just hope your friend is okay...
$endgroup$
– Bombyx mori
Feb 22 at 20:02
$begingroup$
@Bombyxmori I will definitely pass your regards to him.
$endgroup$
– Fan Zheng
Feb 22 at 20:20
$begingroup$
@FanZheng: I contacted Simon and he said it is okay to put his website in the link. I was worried it might have put him in the spotlight. Now I am relieved.
$endgroup$
– Bombyx mori
Feb 26 at 5:26
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I do have something to share. I would ask the following:
1) Is he getting well with his advisor?
2) Does he have a daily routine (i.e wake up at 8AM everyday, preparing for teaching, going to gym at 11AM, reading papers from 1PM, attending weekly seminar at 3PM, etc). This can be crucial to get someone out of the state of depression.
3) Does he have potential plans after the PhD (with or without the degree)?
If the answers are No, I would suggest taking some concrete steps now (switch to a new advisor, form a daily life routine, consider a Plan $B$ or even Plan $Z$ in case academia does not work for him).
In case he still loves doing research, I would encourage him/her talk to some mathematican in industry but still actively doing research to have a better sense how to achieve this. If I recall correctly, Yakov Eliashberg, Vladmir Berkovich and
Jeffrey Lagarias all worked at industry at some point, not to mention street names like Yitang Zhang.
answered Feb 22 at 6:10
Bombyx moriBombyx mori
3,77821846
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
I personally like point 2. It can be given as a general advice which has nothing to do with depression or anything... I will save this :)
$endgroup$
– Praphulla Koushik
Feb 22 at 9:02
$begingroup$
@Fan Zheng: Just hope your friend is okay...
$endgroup$
– Bombyx mori
Feb 22 at 20:02
$begingroup$
@Bombyxmori I will definitely pass your regards to him.
$endgroup$
– Fan Zheng
Feb 22 at 20:20
$begingroup$
@FanZheng: I contacted Simon and he said it is okay to put his website in the link. I was worried it might have put him in the spotlight. Now I am relieved.
$endgroup$
– Bombyx mori
Feb 26 at 5:26
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I do have something to share. I would ask the following:
1) Is he getting well with his advisor?
2) Does he have a daily routine (i.e wake up at 8AM everyday, preparing for teaching, going to gym at 11AM, reading papers from 1PM, attending weekly seminar at 3PM, etc). This can be crucial to get someone out of the state of depression.
3) Does he have potential plans after the PhD (with or without the degree)?
If the answers are No, I would suggest taking some concrete steps now (switch to a new advisor, form a daily life routine, consider a Plan $B$ or even Plan $Z$ in case academia does not work for him).
In case he still loves doing research, I would encourage him/her talk to some mathematican in industry but still actively doing research to have a better sense how to achieve this. If I recall correctly, Yakov Eliashberg, Vladmir Berkovich and
Jeffrey Lagarias all worked at industry at some point, not to mention street names like Yitang Zhang.
answered Feb 22 at 6:10
Bombyx moriBombyx mori
3,77821846
$endgroup$
I do have something to share. I would ask the following:
1) Is he getting well with his advisor?
2) Does he have a daily routine (i.e wake up at 8AM everyday, preparing for teaching, going to gym at 11AM, reading papers from 1PM, attending weekly seminar at 3PM, etc). This can be crucial to get someone out of the state of depression.
3) Does he have potential plans after the PhD (with or without the degree)?
If the answers are No, I would suggest taking some concrete steps now (switch to a new advisor, form a daily life routine, consider a Plan $B$ or even Plan $Z$ in case academia does not work for him).
In case he still loves doing research, I would encourage him/her talk to some mathematican in industry but still actively doing research to have a better sense how to achieve this. If I recall correctly, Yakov Eliashberg, Vladmir Berkovich and
Jeffrey Lagarias all worked at industry at some point, not to mention street names like Yitang Zhang.
answered Feb 22 at 6:10
Bombyx moriBombyx mori
3,77821846
edited Feb 22 at 19:51
answered Feb 22 at 6:10
Bombyx moriBombyx mori
3,77821846
answered Feb 22 at 6:10
Bombyx moriBombyx mori
3,77821846
answered Feb 22 at 6:10
Bombyx moriBombyx mori
3,77821846
3,77821846
$begingroup$
I personally like point 2. It can be given as a general advice which has nothing to do with depression or anything... I will save this :)
$endgroup$
– Praphulla Koushik
Feb 22 at 9:02
$begingroup$
@Fan Zheng: Just hope your friend is okay...
$endgroup$
– Bombyx mori
Feb 22 at 20:02
$begingroup$
@Bombyxmori I will definitely pass your regards to him.
$endgroup$
– Fan Zheng
Feb 22 at 20:20
$begingroup$
@FanZheng: I contacted Simon and he said it is okay to put his website in the link. I was worried it might have put him in the spotlight. Now I am relieved.
$endgroup$
– Bombyx mori
Feb 26 at 5:26
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I personally like point 2. It can be given as a general advice which has nothing to do with depression or anything... I will save this :)
$endgroup$
– Praphulla Koushik
Feb 22 at 9:02
$begingroup$
@Fan Zheng: Just hope your friend is okay...
$endgroup$
– Bombyx mori
Feb 22 at 20:02
$begingroup$
@Bombyxmori I will definitely pass your regards to him.
$endgroup$
– Fan Zheng
Feb 22 at 20:20
$begingroup$
@FanZheng: I contacted Simon and he said it is okay to put his website in the link. I was worried it might have put him in the spotlight. Now I am relieved.
$endgroup$
– Bombyx mori
Feb 26 at 5:26
$begingroup$
I personally like point 2. It can be given as a general advice which has nothing to do with depression or anything... I will save this :)
$endgroup$
– Praphulla Koushik
Feb 22 at 9:02
$begingroup$
I personally like point 2. It can be given as a general advice which has nothing to do with depression or anything... I will save this :)
$endgroup$
– Praphulla Koushik
Feb 22 at 9:02
$begingroup$
@Fan Zheng: Just hope your friend is okay...
$endgroup$
– Bombyx mori
Feb 22 at 20:02
$begingroup$
@Fan Zheng: Just hope your friend is okay...
$endgroup$
– Bombyx mori
Feb 22 at 20:02
$begingroup$
@Bombyxmori I will definitely pass your regards to him.
$endgroup$
– Fan Zheng
Feb 22 at 20:20
$begingroup$
@Bombyxmori I will definitely pass your regards to him.
$endgroup$
– Fan Zheng
Feb 22 at 20:20
$begingroup$
@FanZheng: I contacted Simon and he said it is okay to put his website in the link. I was worried it might have put him in the spotlight. Now I am relieved.
$endgroup$
– Bombyx mori
Feb 26 at 5:26
$begingroup$
@FanZheng: I contacted Simon and he said it is okay to put his website in the link. I was worried it might have put him in the spotlight. Now I am relieved.
$endgroup$
– Bombyx mori
Feb 26 at 5:26
add a comment |
3
$begingroup$
I believe Academia or Psychology might be more appropriate. If this person is not too depressed, they can search the web for others' experiences. I think you should repost the question elsewhere, not here. Gerhard "Out-of-scope Questions Can Be Depressing" Paseman, 2019.02.21.
$endgroup$
– Gerhard Paseman
Feb 22 at 5:18
17
$begingroup$
I agree with Gerhard that this question is a bit out of place here and may fit in better on academia stackexchange (see here for example academia.stackexchange.com/questions/28257/…), but I’d like to express sympathy for their situation and my well wishes; the life of any PhD student (but arguably pure math PhD’s more than most) can certainly be lonely at times, and I think we all understand the struggle to some extent.
$endgroup$
– Alec Rhea
Feb 22 at 5:40
2
$begingroup$
By only looking at the attention received by this question, I think it absolutely belongs here.
$endgroup$
– EFinat-S
Feb 22 at 15:20
$begingroup$
@AlecRhea Thanks. I will definitely pass your wishes to him.
$endgroup$
– Fan Zheng
Feb 23 at 23:20
$begingroup$
@FanZheng, there is a clinic in New York that treats people with severe depression using ketamine. Here's the link: ctvnews.ca/health/…
$endgroup$
– user25406
Feb 28 at 13:50