Many adoptive parents are suffering from a common complaint called Post-Adoption Depression. It's a real condition that many in the adoption community are unaware exists.

Post-Adoption Depression Syndrome, or PADS, is similar to a long recognized condition that new mothers often experience in the days and weeks following child birth known as Postpartum Depression. It is commonly thought that postpartum depression is caused by the hormonal changes post-delivery, as well as the stress of caring for a new baby. Since it is so widely recognized by the medical and mental health community, in addition to the general public, new biological mothers are surrounded by understanding and support.

PADS Affects Up to 65% of Adoptive Parents

Unfortunately, it is estimated that Post-Adoption Depression Syndrome affects 65% of new adoptive mothers, according to a survey conducted by Harriet McCarthy, and reported in her October 25, 2007 article entitled, “Post Adoption Depression”. She further explains that PADS seems to particularly affect parents who have adopted internationally, and that PADS can afflict adoptive fathers as well. The syndrome is thought to be caused in large part to stress and unmet expectations on the part of the adoptive parents, who have often spent years on an emotional rollercoaster in their journey to become a parent.

Until recently, PADS went largely unrecognized by professionals in the adoption community. Finally, mental health authorities and adoption social workers are now becoming increasingly aware of PADS, and this is good news for the numerous adoptive parents and their families who are affected by Post-Adoption Depression.

Symptoms of Post-Adoption Depression

PADS has many of the same symptoms that are associated with postpartum depression:

• General feeling of sadness, tearful, irritable
• Loss of interest in activities that used to bring pleasure, or a diminished pleasure in those activities.
• Weight loss or weight gain.
• Inability to sleep or a marked increase in sleep
• A general feeling of restlessness, or of being slowed down.
• Fatigue
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Inability to concentrate
• Thoughts of suicide

Someone suffering from Post-Adoption Depression may or may not exhibit all of these symptoms, and experiencing one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that a person has PADS. In fact, most people will experience any one or more of these symptoms on occasion; however, with PADS, these symptoms may linger for weeks, months, or even years.

Treating Post-Adoption Depression

Often the best treatment lies in prevention. Careful planning prior to bringing home the new child will aid in keeping PADS symptoms to a minimum. A few suggested prevention ideas are:

• Take ample time off from work. This applies to fathers, too. It is important for the new family to allow time to get used to a new person in the household. Even older children take more physical and mental energy in those early days than one might think. Going back to work too soon can significantly add undue stress to the new family. It is wise to plan for at least six weeks if at all possible.

• Keep an open schedule. Family and friends will be eager to welcome the new addition to the family, however constant activity can add stress, which is believed to be a major contributor to the onset of PADS. Ask that interruptions be kept to a minimum and planned for well in advance.

• Don’t expect too much out of those early days and weeks. Many adoptive parents place unnecessary guilt upon themselves when they don’t instantly bond to their adopted child. Further, if an older child fails to attach immediately with his or her new parents, the adoptive parents often take this personally. Bonds take time to develop and grow. Older children may take years to develop a bond to their adoptive parents. Even infants and young children, particularly if they were moved from foster home to foster home, or lived in an orphanage prior to adoption, struggle to form an attachment with their new parents. Adoptive parents should give themselves and their adopted child sufficient time to form a bond with each other.

• Housekeeping standards may need to be lowered, at least for a while. It takes a lot of work to incorporate a new child into the household, and to get used to his or her daily presence. If possible, let a family member or friend help with household duties or hire a housekeeper.

Even with preventative measures in place, new adoptive parents are at risk for developing Post-Adoption Depression. Those who suspect that they are suffering from PADS should contact a mental health provider who is familiar with PADS and can effectively treat it with therapy, and medication, should it be deemed appropriate. The good news is that most patients diagnosed with PADS can be adequately treated and, eventually, the symptoms will go away altogether.

Reference: McCarthy, Harriet. “Post Adoption Depression.” RainbowKids.com, 2007.

Disclaimer: This author is not a physician or a psychiatrist. The information contained in this article is not meant to diagnose or treat any condition or ailment. This article is for informational purposes only.

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