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Adoption
So, international adoption is going to be more difficult for me. ..
I was reading a post further down regarding international adoption and antidepressants. I suffered severe PPD with my 2nd DS and was placed on a low dose of antidepressants. This is a major reason why we are considering adopting our 3rd. I don't think I could handle another case of PPD. Guess I'm going to really do some research. What are some good online resources? Is there hope for me?
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Re: So, international adoption is going to be more difficult for me. ..
Like you saw below Asian countries MAY be out (that's not a definitive but it's probable) but there are others that may be open to you.
Where there is a will, there is a way. I believe that any option is possible in adoption you just have to find the right path. If you have a connection to IA then you will find a country that doesn't care about your PPD. If you decide on DA - it will most likely not be an issue either but you will have to discuss it with your SW and agency.
Good luck.
I wouldn't necessarily say that it will be more difficult for you; you just might exclude certain countries from consideration.
The first step for any family considering adoption is to figure out what kind of adoption they wish to pursue. Basic books such as The Complete Idiot?s Guide to Adoption and Adoption for Dummies are great for helping you answer this question. Then, if a family decides to adopt internationally, the next step is deciding from what country. The US Department of State website (https://adoption.state.gov/) lists all the countries from which it is possible to adopt, including a summary of the rules from adopting from each.
One thing you might want to be aware of is that, just like there is post partum depression, there is also post adoption depression (PAD). Just because you had PPD does not mean you will suffer from PAD, but it is possible. You may want to read some about it.
Whatever you chose, I wish you all the best in growing your family!
I find this so ridiculous...just because you sought help, you are penalized. Yet, there are crazy people out there, legitimately crazy, who don't take any meds (and should) and they could adopt?
I, too, experienced depression, but it was during the pregnancy and I had to resort to an antidepressants. It helped me a ton, so I have no regrets. But, I just hate this rule.
That's pretty much how I'm feeling right now. We will not be able to actually start the process for at least another year, but I'm bummed. I don't know where I would be had I not sought help, but I guess that doesn't matter.
There is no "rule" that you can't adopt if you've been on antidepressants. Some select countries, however, choose not to allow individuals who have taken antidepressants to adopt their children. Each country gets to make their own rules, so it's not an across-the-board prohibition.
The countries that choose to exclude people based on seeking mental health treatment tend to be the ones that have a strong stigma against people who seek such treatment. As someone said, most people with mild and moderate mental health issues tend not to seek treatment in those countries, which in turn, leads those societies to believe that a person who has taken antidepressants must have a severe mental health issue. This circular logic is what "informs" their adoption rules.
I am sure you feel unfairly judged, and I know it hurts. I?m sorry that you are the subject of such close-mindedness. But in international adoption--or adoption in general--you are repeatedly judged by multiple people, agencies, governmental entities, and families. (example: I was asked to explain my ?phobias? of having biological children because my husband and I chose to adopt without TTC first.) It's easiest to find a program (type of adoption/country) that best suits your family and run with it.
Occasional lurker here. We had planned to adopt from China before the program slowed to a near halt, and we'd spoken at length with several agencies about the anti-depressant/anti-anxiety issue, as my husband and I have taken medications in the past. We were told that it depended on when you'd taken medications, what dose, how your medical report by your doctor was worded, and on your current health status. In other words, it was not impossible to adopt internationally if you'd taken anti-depressants before.
Look at the programs that are available, both internationally and domestic, talk to some agencies that specialize in the programs that appeal to you, and go from there. But realize that a lot can change in IA in a short period of time - country rules, paperwork requirements, costs, wait times, etc.
Meredith, 6-1-06 and Alex, 11-5-09