A reader asks:
Are there countries that restrict prospective parents from adopting if they have a history of depression?
If anyone can point us to more information on this topic, please respond in the Comments area. Thanks!
Adoption Restrictions Based on History of Depression?
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Yes. We are in the process of adopting from Guatemala and were scrutinized because of my history of anxiety and post adoption depression. I do not have a history of depression prior to adopting nor do I have a history of anxiety before adopting. However, when we brought home a son from Russia in 2005 and got unexpected special needs issues, rages, SID, etc. it was very difficult for both of us to deal with.
My physician filled out the required forms but Immigration recently sent back another inquiry so we will see how that stands.
I also know that China will NOT allow anyone with a history at all and Russia is really cracking down on it as well. As far as I know Guatemala is one of the most lenient countries as long as the issue is under control.
http://international.adoptionblogs.com/index.php/weblogs/depression-and-int-l-adoption
http://www.childrenshopeint.org/china.htm
I have a follow-up question.
We are considering adopting someday and I never even thought this would be an issue. How much of a history do you need to have for it to be an issue? About a year ago I was on a low dose of anti-depressant for only a month or two. This bout with depression was a result of fertility issues. Would this have an affect on being able to adopt?
In Russia they do a series of psychological tests but if this is a confirmed “non-issue” then I don’t think it would be a problem. I also don’t think it would be an issue in Guatemala because it seems like they will accept our application even though I am still on medication.
In my opinion, they are looking for red flags…things that look like bi-polar and patterns of serious depressive/destructive behaviors. They want to protect children and I don’t blame them.
In my case, my issue is post-adoption depression, which I never expected. However, it was compounded by the fact that we got a surprise special needs son who at times can be difficult. I have stayed on the medication because it makes me a better mom. There are many nights that I don’t get much sleep and more than a few days a week when meltdowns happen one after another. I have found that it helps me remain more even tempered and patient.
Please feel free to visit my blog: http://adopttwoboys.blogspot.com You can find my email there.
friends of mine got a baby from china despite the father’s history of depression. I don’t know how they got around it, but they did.
anybody know anything about how they view this in the US?
There’s a great book on post-adoptive depression that I recommend. It’s called, “The Post-Adoption Blues,” by Karen Foli and John Thompson. You can order it from my Exploring Adoption bookstore. Here’s the link:
http://tinyurl.com/ys8ltf