Potential adoptive parent with bipolar

[Chocogoingcuckoo]

So we had our initial meeting on Friday morning with our social worker which went quite well. She is happy to recommend us to the next step but before doing so is sending us for full medicals as dh has bipolar.

Does anyone have experience of a potential adoptive parent having bipolar?

Dh has two grown children from his previous marriage, I have none and pretty deflated at the prospect of falling at the first hurdle!

No experience but I'm assuming your dh's medical condition Is under control and if it becomes a problem he seeks help? If so personally I don't see It being a problem. There are plenty of parents with health problems that still are amazing at their job. Good luck.

Yeah, he has regular support from his psychiatrist, takes his medication religiously and holds down a full time job. He has been in hospital once in 2000.

Chocogoingcuckoo no personal experience pf bipolar but lots of adoption.

I would say (as a parent to a birth child and a child who joined our family by adoption last year - I went through the process is 2013) that social workers really want to know how people cope with anything that is a potential 'issue' in their lives.

So for example when your dh was in hospital how was that dealt with, what triggered it, does your dh know what may trigger any 'issues' for him (do you?) and do you both know how to manage this and avoid any problems and/or control things if things were problematic.

I had anxiety a long time ago, about 18 years ago. I had to talk about that or at least be prepared to talk about it, how I got help, etc etc. Thankfully, my anxiety has never returned but if it were to I would want to get help quickly etc etc.

I would say in many many couples one or other person is managing various physical or mental illness, and actually being able to do so well is a testament to us as people and might actually help us in parenting generally.

I wish you all the very best.

Thanks for the insight Italiangreyhound. He does have a good out look on it and proactive regarding coping techniques so I'm sure they will admire this rather than be negativnegative. Glad you're keeping well. Thanks x

Hope all goes well.

So we passed the medicals and have attended the first prep group with the second tomorrow. We got a phone call yesterday to say their medical practitioner wants to speak to dp psychiatrist for more information on dp condition. Shouldn't everything have been sorted out before telling us we passed the medicals?!
Stressed

We also needed to give details of consultant to check my condition was mild and under control. Hopefully it will just be to get professional to confirm what go has found. Good luck.

The MO will want it for panel, I had similar about a different health issue, they wanted a report from my consultant, he said they would, at first they said they didn't and then they decided at the 11th hour that they did need it for panel. I too had passed my medical. I think they need it documented.