As students, especially at the most basic level, we don’t usually ask ourselves where knowledge comes from. It seems that what the professor tells us is a sacred word and we tend to trust it. However, what we are taught comes from somewhere, specifically, from the research of some doctor or student to doctor. Knowledge, epistemology, does not just happen, it is created through hard work thesis, and many hours of study. But what does a PhD have to do with depression?
But who are PhD students? When we meet someone, a ubiquitous phrase we use is, do you study or work? The answer of a PhD student could well be either one or even both at the same time. This figure, little known outside the academic field, is dedicated to keeping and increasing knowledge alive. PhD students specialize in a field to become great experts and increase their knowledge in that field. But, like everything, it has a price that in some cases can be very high.
Getting a PhD in Depression
Two studies, one conducted in the United States and the other in Belgium, have found that depression often becomes the shadow of doctoral students. Specifically, they are six times more likely to develop anxiety or depression compared to the general population. For example, in the United States, it was found that 39% of doctoral students suffer from moderate or severe depression.
In Belgium, researchers found that a large number of PhD students exhibit traits such as feeling unhappy, depressed, under constant pressure, and losing self-confidence. They also suffer from insomnia due to worry and stress. The results of this study were that 41% of PhD students felt under constant pressure, 30% were depressed or unhappy and 16% felt worthless.
The role of thesis supervisors
Certain factors make symptoms of depression more likely, while others do not. For example, the discipline in which the PhD is carried out has no influence. PhD students develop these symptoms equally, whether they are in science, social sciences, humanities, applied sciences, or biomedical sciences. On the other hand, gender does have an influence. Female PhD students are more likely to suffer from psychiatric problems than men. Unfortunately, as in many other fields, women still have it more difficult.
One of the most important factors is the type of supervisor, which can have a positive or negative influence. Every PhD student has one or more supervisors who supervise their thesis. As seen in these studies, when the thesis supervisor was inspiring their PhD students, their mental health was better. On the contrary, when the supervisors refrained from guiding or directing their PhD students, their mental health was worse, and they were more likely to develop psychological suffering.
The thesis supervisor positively or negatively influences the mental health of doctoral students.
A final factor of great importance is the family. The family situation can determine the development of symptoms of depression. Conflictive situations within the family, such as a lack of understanding, can increase the risk of developing a psychiatric problem. The same happens with workload and schedules.
The importance of PhD students
Why is this data so important? PhD students are the pillars on which scientific and technological production is based. In other words, the future of technology and research will be in their hands. New electronic devices and new medicines will emerge from their ideas and work. But not only that, art and social interventions will also be, to a certain extent, in their hands. If we do not take care of our PhD students, who will build a better future?
Some advice that accompanies these studies tells us that it is important to invest time in knowing one’s health and that of other people. Mental health has to be as important as physical health. In addition, just as companies should be concerned about the well-being of their employees, which increases productivity, the well-being of doctoral students should also be ensured. Thus, doctoral students should enjoy the same benefits as any other worker.