Here is an interesting article on Post Adoption Depression Syndrome. Although it is not a formally recognized disorder, it seems that it is a syndrome that is worth researching and discussing openly and honestly.
For years women struggled with postpartum depression in silence and shame. Thankfully, that is changing now due to education and awareness of the problem. It is not unusual to know a woman who admits to having struggled with some level of depression after giving birth to a child. However, I have met many adoptive parents and I don’t think I have ever once heard one talk about becoming depressed after adopting a child.
A few months ago I wrote about adoption remorse from the perspective of adoptive parents who at some point feel they regret their decision to adopt. When I wrote about that, I did not even have post adoption depression on my radar. I wish I had. There were several pointed comments left on my post about adoption remorse. I wonder if people would feel as comfortable commenting on a topic as personal as post adption depression?
After reading the article it raised some questions in my mind about postpartum depression. How much of postpartum depression is truly triggered by hormonal imbalances? Or, does the stress of the adoption experience trigger similar hormonal shifts in adoptive mothers? And, of course, if PADS is a valid construct for adoptive mothers and is not hormonally driven, then do fathers experience PADS also? What a fascinating topic and one that I hope to learn more about.
Over the last couple of days days, I’ve seen blogs posted about Explosive Disorder Syndrome, Parental Alienation Syndrome, and now Post Adoptive Depression Syndrome.
Well, maybe, but I think I’m beginning to suffer the effects of Post Syndrome Overdose Syndrome.
Funny you should write that comment. I was planning to write on that very topic tomorrow. I think I’ll still do that, taking your comment as an indicator that I was on the right track. Bummer. It is so hard striking a balance. We try to write about so many significant issues, but, the goal is not to bum out our readers, those who are interested in adopting, or, those who have already adopted.
Seriously though
, I’m willing to entertain the idea that being catalpulted into parenthood might cause hormonal shifts in some people – especially in those who’ve yearned to parent and gone to extreme lengths to do so.
Even the smell of baby could trigger a hormonal reaction . . .
And then, of course, if people have had unrealistic expectations about what parenting means, it’s going to hit them hard. Regret, disappointment, you name it.
Wouldn’t it be possible to measure whether hormonal changes are common in adoptive parents?
It would be possible and it would be interesting.
These people may have had hormonal changes already causing them not to get pregnant.
Yeah … the smell of baby would be so beautiful and so poignant at the same time.
I think all parents should embrace all feelings, and that is what I would try to do as a parent.
I’d also be curious to know if so-called PADS occurs as frequently among people who adopt older children and those who adopt new-borns.
I’m trying to consider this ’syndrome’ seriously, but really I’m still quite sceptical about it, as well as about possible causes. My gut reaction is that depression after adoption is more likely to be a result of let-down and/or over-romanticization than hormonal changes.
And I’d *hate* to think PADS could ever become a defence argument in cases where there’s been abuse.
For me, what depression I had was caused by this, I think. My son has been a holy terror (both in a good and bad way) since about a week after we brought him home.
It was also the distancing from my friends that did it, as well. All of a sudden I had to closely watch a child while they got to hang out and talk while the older ones played by themselves. I felt pretty alone for a while there. I had to make an even bigger effort than I had before to stay connected to the world.
I can easily see how becoming isolated could factor into depression. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I imagine it was something for which you were not fully prepared, and so the reality came as a shock.
Do you think you were adequately counseled and prepared beforehand?
It seems to me that this kind of depression is more likely to be caused by changed circumstances and not by changes in chemistry.
I wonder in what ways, if any, can this be compared to post-natal depression. Other than being depression, of course. But it may be qualitatively different.
That’s my big question too. If depression in adoptive mothers is found largely to be circumstantial, then wouldn’t that also suggest that a similar mechanism is at work for mothers who become depressed after giving birth? I’m really fascinated by this, although, thank goodness I never struggled with depression after having my son or after adopting the girls.
I’m sure it’s a factor, especially with first time mothers.
However, I think an important difference is that an adoptive mother isn’t/hasn’t been subject to the hormonal changes that are part and parcel of being pregnant and giving birth. (Of course she’d have to make many of the same life-style adjustments as those that have – assuming, that is, that the women in question weren’t relinquishing mothers), but from a different starting point.
Her hormones wouldn’t have to ‘de-escalate’ in the same way.
I think a woman who had relinquished would have an double whammy. Sort of like, all hormonally dressed up with nowhere to go.
I hope this makes sense.
I nned someone to talk to. I have dealt with many therapists, but none have had an impact on me. All have made me feel inadaquate, what I am doing wrong…. Help!!
My husband and I have adpoted 3 siblings 16, 13 11 and I need help. I am sad.
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self help for depression…
Post Adoption Depression Syndrome (PADS) – Adoptive Parenting…