Most of us have heard about postpartum depression. The hormones at work in a woman’s body after she gives birth are very powerful and can cause extreme emotions and often a sort of “surge” of depression known as postpartum depression. This depression is treatable and often the mother is feeling more herself in a relatively short amount of time.

When parents adopt a child they do not really ever expect to go through similar depression because the have not gone through an actual, physical pregnancy, but research is beginning to show that a form of depression can also affect new adoptive parents. After going through months, sometimes years of preparing for a child, adoption requirements and paperwork, a lot of stress can build while waiting to become parents. Sometimes the uncertainty that a child will ever really come into your family requires adopting parents to put their emotions on “hold” because they are unsure of what to expect. All this “emotional delay” coupled along with many times a sudden impact of placement of your child can leave adoptive parents open to depression also known as P.A.D.S. or Post Adoption Depression Syndrome.

The roller coaster ride of preparing to adopt can sometimes feel like a sharp plummet as soon as your new child arrives home. This is not to say that parents are not relieved and happy to welcome their new child home, but instead that a lengthy delay of allowing themselves to feel and process the intense emotions involved often come to the surface once the long awaited dream is a reality. There are a lot of resources available today to help new adoptive parents who feel like they might be experiencing P.A.D.S and even online support groups. The first step is to see your doctor is you are experiencing the common symptoms of depression and then to also seek out a support system that understand your specific type of depression as related to adoption.

Classic depression symptoms can include. . .

Lack of interest in thing you once found fun and sometimes even simple daily activities

Feelings of emptiness of hopelessness

Irritability or restlessness

Trouble concentrating or making decisions

Feeling stressed, nervous, or overwhelmed

There can also be actual physical symptoms as well. . .

Fatigue

Sleeping too much or too little

Aches and pains

Changes in appetite, weight loss or gain

Headaches

Some resources that explain P.A.D.S. specifically and I found helpful in my own experience. . .

http://www.adopting.org/pads.html

http://www.adoptionarticlesdirectory.com/Article/Post-Adoption-Depression---The-Unacknowledged-Hazard/53

http://www.adoption.org/adopt/post-adoption-depression-syndrome.php

http://www.adoptionissues.org/post-adoption-depression.html

There are many other resources now available to adopting parents who are experiencing Post Adoption Depression Syndrome. Getting help is easier than it ever was and if you are feeling down it’s the best thing you can do for yourself and your family. You are not alone, there is help!