Post Adoption Depression (parents, first time, newborn, children)

[no kudzu]

I never heard of this before but can certainly relate to the feelings of inadequacy and stress felt after a child is adopted.

Depression besets adoptive mother soon after baby’s arrival - The Washington Post

[sheena12]

I have heard of it, but I did not experience it. I did not experience postpartum depression either.

I was just happy.

[Jaded]

Thanks for posting this. I had thought about this because we are in the process of adopting and was concerned that it may have been all in my head. What a relief to know that it does exist. At least now I can watch out for it if need be. Very informative.

[malamute]

It's probably very similar to post-partum depression.

Change is stressful, and even a good change is stressful. Some people may realize the reality isn't going to be quite what their expectations were.

[CraigCreek]

Agree with the posts above. I wish the article had paid some attention to parents who've adopted older children, rather than just limiting its coverage to those with newborns or young babies. It would be interesting and informative to see what similarities and differences exist, and if the age of the child/ren is a factor.

[Jaded]

Because I think this is an important topic that only recently has been given thought and research, I want to keep this thread going with information on the subject. I hope others will continue to contribute too. Below are some additional resources and info:

Post Adoption Depression Syndrom (PADS)

Understanding Post Adoption Depression

Post Adoption Blues (Book)

[thethreefoldme]

Originally Posted by CraigCreek

Agree with the posts above. I wish the article had paid some attention to parents who've adopted older children, rather than just limiting its coverage to those with newborns or young babies. It would be interesting and informative to see what similarities and differences exist, and if the age of the child/ren is a factor.

My brother & I were both adopted as infants & my parents, especially my mother experienced this. I think that potential adoptive parents often assume that adopting a baby will somehow prevent them from experiencing certain challenges, when it actually does not.

As many of you know the adoption process can be fraught with an abnormal amount of anxiety & stress, followed by an enormous high when you finally get to take your child home for the first time. It isn't uncommon for an intense high & pro-longed period of anxiety to be followed by an intense low once the dust has settled. There also is not the benefit of genetic mirroring & for mothers nine months of hormone changes that help them naturally bond with their babies.

& like Malamute said;

Change is stressful, and even a good change is stressful. Some people may realize the reality isn't going to be quite what their expectations were.

[Jaded]

Let us not allude to why depression occurs, just list resources and personal experiences.

[thethreefoldme]

Originally Posted by Jaded

Let us not allude to why depression occurs, just list resources and personal experiences.

No need to be dismissive, the OP did not specify parameters of this discussion. I posted my personal experience as an adult adoptee who was raised by adoptive parents who went through this.

[tiffjoy]

Originally Posted by Jaded

Let us not allude to why depression occurs, just list resources and personal experiences.

First, why?

Second, only mods get to limit the parameters of a discussion topic.