Post-Adoption Depression Syndrome

Written by: Kim de Blecourt
Date Posted: January 9th, 2012
Category: Adoption, Issues & Commentary
Comments: No Comments »

We’ve heard about the ‘baby blues’ or Postpartum Depression, which can follow childbirth and is now recognized by the American Psychiatric Association. But you may not be aware of Post-Adoption Depression Syndrome or PADS. PADS can range from severe depression to a case of the blues that lasts approximately one month. The few studies that have been done on PADS indicate that over half of adopting mothers are experiencing it it some form. PADS is not yet formally recognized.

“PADS is now where postpartum depression in biological mothers was ten years ago,” Pamela Kruger, editor of a book by adoptive parents, told the New York Times. “Parents can be blindsided by it. They’re expecting… this joyous moment and not expecting to have these feelings.”

Mothers aren’t the only parents experiencing PADS, Fathers can experience it, as well. The symptoms of PADS, however, differ from their female counterparts. “…fathers who experienced postadoption depression, were perceived as more likely to become disengaged from the family, and more likely to display anger and frustration rather than sadness or melancholy,” states Karen J. Foli and Gregory C. Gibson in last summer’s article entitled “Sad Adoptive Dads: Paternal Depression in the Post-Adoption Period” for the International Journal of Men’s Health.

There is an excellent article regarding PADS on the www.adoptionissues.org website. Following is an excerpt: “June Bond, a writer for Roots and Wings magazine and the first person to recognize PADS, says that adoptive parents experience a huge letdown within a few weeks after their new child comes home. It is similar to what happens after a wedding, completing a college degree or achieving any other big life goal. “The emotional rush from the attainment of this long-desired goal is exhilarating,” she writes. “.Feelings of being ‘let down’ are common after reaching any major life milestone.”

To make matters worse, their child may have problems the new parents did not anticipate. The child may have spent years in an orphanage or foster care, and developed attention-getting or coping behaviors like head-banging, tantrums, inappropriate displays of affection, etc. Even worse, their doctor may diagnose major medical problems like attention-deficit disorder or fetal alcohol syndrome that will require years of special care.

Experts like Bond tell parents who are experiencing post-adoption depression to get involved with other adoptive parents on the Internet. You can safely share your story with others in the same spot. If your depression lasts for more than a few months, seek professional help. If you are going back over your child’s past to figure out what went wrong, don’t be too hard on yourself. Post-Adoption Depression is a naturally occurring period of becoming parents.” To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.

Typically in mothers, the symptoms of PADS include: