OPEN TO EVERYONE: Can adoptive mothers get Postpartum Depression?

Question

I thought I would open this up to everyone.

Postpartum depression can make you feel restless, anxious, fatigued and worthless. Some new moms worry they will hurt themselves or their babies. Unlike the "baby blues," postpartum depression does not go away quickly. Very rarely, new moms develop something even more serious. They may stop eating, have trouble sleeping and become frantic or paranoid. Women with this condition usually need to be hospitalized.

Researchers think that changes in your hormone levels during and after pregnancy may lead to postpartum depression. If you think you have it, tell your health care provider. Medicine and talk therapy can help you get well.
Link to article: https://health.live.com/article.aspx?id=articles%2fmlp%2fpages%2f1%2fPostpartum_Depression.htm&qu=Postpartum+Depression

First of all, postpartum depression DOES exist, as does post-adoption depression. Although self-help measures of vitamins and/or exercise may help, medication can be vital, even life-saving, in alleviating symptoms. According to the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, postpartum depression is caused by the rapid drop in a woman’s hormone levels following childbirth. Although new adoptive mothers do not experience physical changes in their hormone levels, post-adoption depression is just as real. Suspected causes of post-adoption depression include fatigue and/or feeling overwhelmed. According to NAMI, safe and effective treatments for postpartum depression include talk therapy and/or medication.

link: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art33262.asp

Answer 1

Postpartum depression? No.

Post Adoption Stress Disorder? Yes.

Are there stresses involved for both parents? Yes.

Is it fair to assume that one is worse than the other? No.

Each adoption is different and every story is different.

Answer 2

Well, not really....According to some web sites, it's called Post Adoption Depression Syndrome, or PADS.

PADS is about adoptive mothers' post adoption 'let down'. Some of the same non-hormonal causes of PPD might also affect new adoptive moms. The lack of sleep, the overwhelming responsibility, the (temporary) loss of regular contact with friends, etc.

Can one cause of PADS be delayed (or supplanted) grief? When infertility plays a part in the decision to adopt, infertile parents may not take the time to fully grieve their "loss". Instead, they run headlong into the arduous process of adoption expecting that once they get a baby, their only emotion will be joy. Yet their grief is still there lingering in the background, buried, overlooked, denied.

PADS...."is not yet a distinct illness recognized by the American Psychiatric Association. Psychologists often link new mother's depression to the sudden overwhelming demands of an infant and new financial responsibility, as well her loss of professional identity, social networks, and personal freedom. Sometimes depression is simply about not getting enough sleep or time to oneself."

Below are some web sites that explain PADS. Or google Post Adoption Depression Syndrome.

Answer 3

I wouldn't have thought so as I think its hormonal. On saying that, you could be "depressed". The shock of becoming a mother could be described as a similar thing, you would be going through the same feelings as a new mum, even though you physically haven't given birth. A new baby is always worrying. Will I be good enough, will I be able to cope, then there's the worrying about this little tiny, wonderful creation. Look, if you think you have a problem, then you need to discuss this with your Doctor or Health visitor or social worker. Good luck

Answer 4

Over the last five years I had begun to have increasingly withdraw into a downward spiral of depression..

But now with the method I can fully focus my energy and thoughts into a decisive line on how to make my life better constantly. And it works like magic! I'm beginning to attract people to me once again and things have just been looking up since then.

Helping you eliminate depression?

Answer 5

Postpartum depression is caused from hormones being out of whack after giving birth, therefore I don't believe so.

Answer 6

No. I'm sure they can suffer some sort of depression, but since they never carried or delivered the child, never had the hormone imbalances, increases, and fluctuations, it is physically impossible for her to suffer post partum depression.

Answer 7

Postpartum depression - is initially brought on because of the hormones produced in pregnancy and the birthing process - and exacerbated by lack of sleep, bonding issues & everything else associated with caring for a newborn baby.

Adoptive parents can NOT have this - as they didn't give birth to the child.

They may get depression after adopting a child - and it could be related to lack sleep, bonding issues - or any number of other issues - but in answer to your question -

NO - adoptive parents do not get Postpartum Depression.

Answer 8

I thought I had heard it all too.
I am sorry, postpartum depression is reserved for people who have actually given birth.
If you get depressed after adopting, it's just called regular old depression.
I mean really, giving birth is hard work. It really is! And those hormone changes are something I wouldn't wish on anyone. To say you have postpartum anything when you haven't actually given birth is crossing the line into delusion.
This is crazy talk people!
You can quote me all the sources you want, you can not have postpartum depression from adopting, you just can't.

Answer 9

I answered another question that was basically identical. I'm not in the mood to repeat myself. My answer is NO. Any depression felt by an adoptive parent is NOT PPD! It is impossible to have POSTPARTUM depression if you are not in the postpartum period.

***edit

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Answer 10

i thought i heard it all... so when do amoms also get the privilege of stretchmarks, incontinence, nausea, vomiting, 4+ week-long bleeding, hemorrhoids and itching stitches? seriously, anyone who wants to take a few of my days puking between meetings is more than welcomed.

although there are secondary causes to PPD (stress, fatigue...) the PRIMARY correlation is hormonal fluctuations as a result of pregnancy and delivery.

There is a post-ADOPTION depression syndrome that's related to the stress of a new baby, fatigue and some pre-existing depression. but it's not the same.

BTW, this is not a general comment toward all amoms. many on this board (cowboy-fan, et al) are well aware that their experiences are different then a birthing mother and try not to minimize those very different experiences. i just become livid when experiences of pregnant and birthing women are co-opted to better authenticate adoption.

EDIT: another co-opted term from adoption land...

i read a adoption-lawyer's website where the adoptive parents waiting period after the birth of the baby is called, "you labor and delivery, without an epidurual!" what the f@#k does that mean??? and how cruel is that? until one has spent 15+ hours actually "laboring without an epidural" (as i did with my last baby), they do NOT have the right to co-opt that term!!! sorry ladies, my dander is up... and i really don't care if i get 6,000 thumbs-down. if we can deal with to the experiences of laboring and post-partum women marginialized, then damnit, others should be able to understand when we push back...

see bullet 5. http://www.dloadoption.com/qa.htm


adoption is a different type of parenting. why can't we just accept that?

i also choose to offer a "clinical' reference to a medical diagnosis....unfortunately, adoptive parents are NOT mentioned in the scientific literature.

national institutes of health
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/postpartumdepression.html

centers for disease control and prevention
http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/postpartum.htm