Past Mental Health History

[Dosmamas]

My partner and I are same sex and in our early thirties, our local council are desperate for adoptive parents and we are more than ready to be parents. I have read that they look at past medical history and I have a three year history of very bad depression with a short psychotic episode, during this time I also confessed to my psychiatrist that I was misusing the medication I was prescribed.

That was about 8 years ago and I no longer take antipsychotic medication (I take a low dose anti depressant but I'm weaning off this at the moment) I have not been in contact with a psychiatrist or any type of mental health service for about 7 years. So my question is, will my past psychiatric history exclude me from being an adoptive parent? I am doing brilliant in my life right now, I have had CBT and am a shadow of the person I used to be. I would be absolutely devastated if my past psych history ruined my future chances of being a parent (although I 100% understand the reasons why it might in terms of what could be seen as a potential risk to a child)

Thanks for any responses or answers.

They do go into this. I have struggled with depression and anxiety and am still on medication as last time I attempted to reduce my dose it triggered a breakdown four years ago. I was clear I’m not willing to come off them or consider reducing as they keep me well, my GP supported this position. They are thorough though...I’d forgotten some counselling I’d had in 2008 that came up on my medical checks and I hadn’t written it down on my part of the form. My honest answer was that I’d totally forgotten as I’d only had three sessions. It was supposed to be CBT (which I am since trained in and realise it was delivered really badly by a trainee) and I’d just forgotten!

I had to really emphasise how I keep myself well now and what other strategies I use as well as meds. Also the other big thing that was emphasised was that we we’re assessed as a couple so it’s not just about me...it’s how DH stepped in and took the reins when I was unwell as well as my support network. DH has also struggled with his MH in the past and been on meds.

It was used as evidence of strengths...that we sought professional help, that our informal support network is tried and tested as they really pulled through for us, that we have a good understanding and lived experience of mental health conditions so could be sensitive around birth family histories related to mental health as well as less fazed by any mental health issues with our LOs as they grow older. We were approved last week!! My MH came up at panel and I had to answer the same questions again! Our SW did acknowledge that 10 yrs or so ago our history of MH conditions would have probably have meant we couldn’t even be assessed!

Good luck 🍀

@Iggyflop Thankyou so much for such a detailed response. I guess all I can do is be 100% honest which I plan to be. I am confident in my mental health now, I am much more resilient that I was. My partner like yours is a big support for me and I'm the same for her except she doesn't have a documented psych history like I do.

Congratulations on your approval what a massive achievement that is.

This was my biggest fear prior to application...particularly as when I mentioned at an open evening they said that I might be asked to try coming off meds again. When I mentioned this to my GP he asked whether they’d ask someone with diabetes that was well managed and stablized with medication to try coming off it to adopt!