You could always attend a more relaxed PhD program outside of the first tier schools. These are still great schools and won't exactly be easier, but the pressure dynamics are a bit different and you'll have more time to experiment.

I really enjoyed my PhD experience; I had time to explore who I was and was able to accomplish what I wanted to. It wasn't so much of as a useless grind as it was a journey to enlightment, but my experience is unique.