Mental Health & Adoption: What If You Have Depression or Anxiety?

“Will this keep me from adopting?”

That question can come up when a hopeful parent has been treated for depression or anxiety. Sometimes the concern is about a diagnosis from years ago. Sometimes the hopeful parent is taking medication now. We also hear from people who see a therapist and wonder whether that will raise questions during the home study.

When it comes to mental health, adoption involves looking at more than the name of a diagnosis. Your history, how you are doing now, and the requirements for your home study all come into the conversation.

We encourage families to ask about this early. A lot of worry can build around what someone thinks an adoption professional might say. It is more helpful to find out what will be asked in your own case.

What Happens When Mental Health Comes Up in the Home Study?

An adoption home study covers parts of your life that you may not be used to discussing with someone you have just met. Your health is one of them.

The exact adoption requirements depend on where you live and other details of your adoption. Child Welfare Information Gateway’s review of state home study requirements shows that physical and behavioral health conditions may be considered when they could affect a person’s ability to provide appropriate care.

If you have a history of depression or anxiety, tell the home study professional. They can explain what information they need from you.

One concern we hear is, “I take medication. Is that going to be a problem?” Another is whether past counseling needs to be disclosed. These are good questions to ask your home study provider, as requirements vary. Questions about changing medication or treatment should be directed to your doctor or therapist.

For many hopeful parents, simply knowing who should answer which question makes this part of the adoption process easier to approach.

There Is Also the Waiting Part

Mental health can matter in adoption long after you have filled out the health section of your paperwork.

Once a family is ready to be presented to expectant mothers, they may have no idea when the next call will come. A family may hear about an opportunity and have little time to think it through. Sometimes an expectant mother chooses another family. Plans may also change after a match.

If uncertainty tends to worsen your anxiety, knowing that about yourself is useful. The same applies if periods of stress have affected your depression in the past.

You probably have some idea of what helps. Maybe you already see a therapist. Your doctor may have worked with you for years. You may have a spouse, partner, relative, or friend who knows when you are struggling before you say much about it.

Those supports still matter while you are trying to adopt a baby.

Where Does Adoption Counseling Fit?

People sometimes hear adoption counseling and assume it means counseling after a child has been adopted. Hopeful parents can seek support earlier.

The reasons vary. You might want help managing anxiety during the wait. Conversations about becoming a parent can bring up old concerns. You may find yourself thinking more deeply about an open adoption and the relationship you hope to have with your child’s birth family.

The National Council for Adoption advises prospective parents with a history of anxiety or depression to think about what has helped them through difficult periods and who they can rely on for support.

If you already have a therapist you trust, talking with that person about your adoption plans is a sensible place to begin.

What Should You Look for in an Adoption Therapist?

You may reach a point where you want a therapist who has worked with adoption before. If so, ask questions.

An adoption therapist should be able to tell you about their training and experience. You can ask whether they have worked with prospective adoptive parents and families formed through domestic adoption. If openness or birth-family relationships are on your mind, ask about their experience with those as well.

There is more to adoption competence than listing adoption as one of the issues a therapist treats. The National Council for Adoption has information about what adoption competence entails for mental health professionals.

C.A.S.E. also maintains a national directory of adoption-competent professionals who have completed formal adoption-related training.

Ask the Question You Are Worried About

We have had enough conversations with hopeful parents over the years to know that the question someone is afraid to ask is often very specific.

“I had depression five years ago. Do I need to explain it?”

“I’ve taken anxiety medication for years. Can I still apply?”

“I see a therapist every week. How will that look?”

A website cannot answer those questions for an individual home study. We can help you understand how newborn adoption works and what comes next. Your home study professional can explain the requirements that apply to your circumstances, while your doctor or therapist can guide your mental health care.

If your mental health history has been keeping you from finding out whether adoption may be an option for you, you can talk with Angel Adoption before making that decision for yourself.