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You're Not Alone
Addressing the Common Problem of Post Adoption Depression By Kelly Burgess
Although this is a not a happy adoption subject, neither Foli nor McCarthy want to discourage anyone from adopting. Their aim is merely to have the tools available to help parents who need help and to make sure they don't feel like they're alone.
McCarthy says that while antidepressants helped her, there are other ways to approach post-adoption depression. Start by seeing your doctor. If the depression is mild, talk therapy and perhaps some chemical intervention is all that's needed. It's also important to enlist your family so they can help. McCarthy suggests having literature ready to hand to family members as you explain what's going on in your life. This will act to deflect some of the comments that might make you feel worse.
Foli also points out that these feelings will pass and you will begin to form a bond with your child – even if it may not be the bond you envisioned. "If you feel that you've lost your way or that you're floundering and can't seem to bond with your child, don't hesitate to seek help," she says. "Just finding out that you're not alone can go such a long way toward helping you to heal and to find the balance in your life that will help you build your family."
