Post Adoption Depression: Causes and Prevention

Post adoption depression and parent attachment disorder are surprisingly common and seldom talked about. After all, since you’ve tried so hard to become a parent, many adoptive parents are ashamed to admit that they are struggling. We interviewed Dr. Jane Aronson, a board certified general pediatrician and pediatric infectious diseases specialist, and adoption medicine specialist for the past 12 years. She is a clinical assistant professor of pediatrics at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University, and the founder of World Wide Orphan Foundation. Dr. Aronson is also the author of a new book, Carried in Our Hearts: The Gift of Adoption, Inspiring Stories of Families Created Across Continents.

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Hit the Highlights

What is post adoption depression, and how does it differ from the general state of being overwhelmed following the addition of a child into a family, regardless of whether that kiddo comes to us via adoption or birth?
How does post adoption depression differ from post partum depression?
How does post adoption depression differ from post adoption blues?
How common is post adoption depression?
How soon after the child is adopted does post adoption depression usually appear?
What is parent attachment disorder and how does it relate to post adoption depression?
How can adoptive parents prevent the mismatch of expectations to reality that is common in post adoption depression?
Who is more likely to sufer from post adoption depression or parent attachment disorder? Moms or dads?
What are the most common risk factors for post adoption depression?
What are the most common risk factors for failure of a parent to attach to an adopted child?
How does infertility grief play in to post adoption depression?
How to help parents cope with the shame of post adoption depression or not feeling bonded to their adopted child?
How is post adoption depression treated?
What type of doctor or therapist is best to treat post adoption depression?
Is medication effective in the treatment of post adoption depression?
What else can an adoptive parent do to help themselves?
Is treatment necessary for this type of depression?