When a PhD supervisor turns toxic: practical steps to protect your health and career

A second-year PhD student in environmental science in China reports chronic verbal abuse and lack of guidance from a supervisor, triggering severe depression. Nature’s Careers panel advises prioritizing mental health (via trusted peers and university counseling), documenting exchanges, and seeking help from anti-bullying networks like the Academic Parity Movement. It also suggests clarifying expectations with concrete, structured feedback to obtain actionable guidance, while acknowledging cultural power dynamics that can complicate the relationship. Depending on the situation, options range from improved communication to formal reporting or changing supervisors, with well-being as the primary priority.