Would having post natal depression stop me from adopting?

[Iamhavingaverybadday]

I haven’t been diagnosed with PND but I think I have it.

I want to adopt a few years down the line (like in 4 years) as I don’t want to get pregnant again but would having PND mean the I’m not suitable to adopt?

PND would not automatically disqualify you.

Please get help for the PND. As you will see if you read other posts on here people adopt with a wide variety of situations.

It's not having depression or anxiety or anything that is the issue, it's how you deal with it; seeking appropriate help or care,, looking after yourself etc which is key.

Good luck.

italian greyhound is absolutely right.

However, your post sounds like you want to adopt to avoid pregnancy and PND. Can I urge you to do a lot of research into adoption and the challenges adopted children face. Its very different to having a birth child. Post Adoption Depression is also a very real thing.

Hope you start to feel better soon

First of all, please see your HV or GP ASAP. The sooner you ask for help the sooner you will start to feel better

Echoing the previous posters but especially what Ted said, PND won’t stop you adopting but please don’t consider it an easier option, and please don’t tell social services that is your motivation, if indeed it is the only one. They will take a dim view on this. By doing your research you will realise adoption is not to provide babies to people who want them but to provide homes for children who need them.

I will never regret adopting but if I had known how badly PAD was going to floor me, and I was totally honest, I may not have gone ahead. With me it was a long cycle of things that contributed to my depression but adoption was the catalyst. And the problem is people ‘get’ PND but fail to understand PAD. You’re supposed to over the moon right? And it’s a zillion times more difficult to ask for help with social services checking up on you (or this is how I felt anyway.)

Get the help first, then when you’re well, if you still want to adopt you’ll be looking at it from a genuine perspective

Hi all.

Thanks for your replies. Just to clarify, I have always wanted to adopt and have never seen it as a “second choice”. I thought that me and DH would have the right qualities to parent an adopted child but since having the baby I am questioning everything I imagine PAD being especially brutal.

OP " I thought that me and DH would have the right qualities to parent an adopted child but since having the baby I am questioning everything..."

You may well have the right qualities but your priority now is to get the PND sorted. Look after yourself and if adoption is right, I hope you will get to follow this path when you little one is older.