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    I'm so sorry that you're in this awful situation. I sincerely hope that you are getting professional help for your mental health issues. Your mental and emotional health are worth far more than your PhD. Do you have other faculty mentors besides your advisor that you can discuss your situation with?
    – JeffE
    Commented May 23, 2017 at 11:38
  • 10
    She says "the examiners are angry"? No, she is angry. She clearly tries to manipulate you and make it look as if all is your mistake. We do not know enough about her for more judgement, but clearly she is a highly unempathetic person; furthermore, she is trying to squeeze you like a lemon before you leave. She does not care about you and you do not have to feel obliged to her. I take it she is not one of your examiners, correct? In which case, she may try to influence them, but she does not really make the decision - which is good. As for "others would have fired you", how would she know?
    – Captain Emacs
    Commented May 23, 2017 at 12:00
  • 1
    Above is a comment as it does not directly answer your question. So, an addendum: is it an option to keep low profile until your examination? If so, try to do so. Stay under the radar and get over the exam, and then, do not continue working for her. Do not be tempted by coaxing or threats. Until now, the situation is not your fault - I repeat: not your fault. You couldn't know that it would devolve as it did. But, if you continue to work for her after the PhD, it is your decision. It is ok for now to indicate that you might continue with her, to soothe her. But do not actually do it.
    – Captain Emacs
    Commented May 23, 2017 at 12:13
  • 5
    I dont feel I can talk to anyone else in the department in case it gets back to my supervisor. — Does your university have an ombudsman? What about faculty outside your department? — I dont know what the norm is — Ask your graduate director, or other students in your department, or even Academia StackExchange!
    – JeffE
    Commented May 23, 2017 at 15:34
  • 2
    @K.Grayson I'm very sorry you're going through this, just a thought, unless this is not your name, might be worth using a nickname or something similar to protect your anonymity.
    – Nobilis
    Commented May 24, 2017 at 8:24