Adoption + Mental Health?

Question

Can you adopt if you have had anxiety or depression in the past but its resolved now? My friend had antenatal depression / anxiety but is now a fantastic mum and wishes to adopt (this I think has always been her plan, even before her bad pregnancy experiences)

Answer 1

Virtually all adoption agencies will throw her application away.  Doesn't matter if you've been treated unless the condition was the result of the death of a close relative or friend or something like that. Once found to be mentally ill, social workers consider that a permanent condition.  Only kinship adoption would likely be approved. Sorry.

Answer 2

I have adopted, and suffered in the past with anxiety. My only word of caution is adoption rules are  not universal, Agencies and Councils have their own agenda.

Some say 35 to old, some say 40 to old? I would do a bit of research first if possible. Good luck. Terry.

Answer 3

Yes you can.

Depends on what the prospective adopters Doctor says in the medical report, but depression does not preclude adoption.

The adoption agency will also have a point of view, best to ask them first.

You are not confined to one adoption agency.

Answer 4

I don't know if they screen for mental health.  Just your bank balance

Answer 5

My wife, suffered from depression after her son died. She and her ex husband went on to adopt twins girls. The adoption process is quite long here in the UK and they have to attend courses and have home visits, so all of this will be looked into but not necessarily stop her from becoming an adoptive parent. Contact your local social services department they will be able to give you more information.

Answer 6

I dont think it should matter that your friend has had antenatal depression - having a baby can cause lots of anxieties, depression, etc.

A friend of mine suffered from post natal depression and could not have any more babies but she was allowed to adopt.

I think that most people know women go through a lot having a baby and its not really classed as a mental illness, is it.

Answer 7

Where is your friend wanting to adopt from? Certain countries like China, and I think maybe Korea, have restrictions against adopting if you have a history of mental health issues. Other countries do not.

I hope that your friend also takes the time to educate herself on adoption issues such as adoptee grief and loss, ethics, corruption in adoption, attachment and bonding, and other things of that nature. If she is adopting internationally, or considering it, http://www.informedadoptions.com is a good place to start. http://www.soulofadoption.com/forum is a good place to go to discuss adopting from the US or Canada.

If she hasnt already, you may want to have her do some research on Post Adoption Depression. It is similar to Post Partum Depression, which it sounds like your friend may have suffered from in the past.

Answer 8

Hiya hun,

Interesting question.  I too have suffered with depression for many years, the most recent was severe post natal depression.  I have looked into donating my eggs, but they won't allow this if you've suffered depression.

My advice would be to call social services, and ask them.  Maybe she'd need to undergo a psychological assessment to get a doctors note saying she's fit to adopt.

Good luck to her.

x*x

Answer 9

For sure... If everything else pans out and .

I suffered from anxiety after college, and depression after I had to terminate my pregnancy because it was cancerous. No parent is perfect nor should they be expected to. I've learned from my experiences and have used them to better my life. I still have issues with anxiety, but that's to be expected with some of the things I've had to deal with over the past few year. My son has almost died 3 times and needed suctioning every 20 min. around the clock. if that doesn't make you anxious then nothing will.

I just don't let it effect my life and I make sure that my children don't pick up on it.