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According to BBC Radio 4's Today programme (August 1 9), PHD ý or Post Holiday Depression ý is at long last a recognised psychiatric condition.

As I have an official-looking piece of paper from an august academic institution that certifies that I suffer from this disabling complaint, can someone advise me whether this qualifies me for early retirement on grounds of ill health?

For in the light of the depressing correspondence in your paper, this certificate seems to qualify me for little else, certainly not an academic job. (I write as someone whose non-renewable contract comes to an end next September.) Peter D. Smith, PhD University College London.