The term “Post-Adoption Depression” has been used to explain the feelings of sadness that are experienced by many adoptive parents subsequent to the adoptive process. Post-Adoption Depression focuses on the feelings of sadness that are experienced after the attainment of a long-term goal that has required time, money, effort, emotional strain and patience.

Post-Adoption Depression is a symptom that falls under a much larger umbrella—what I have called “Adoption Stress.” The latter refers to the feelings, thoughts, actions and the physical and spiritual reactions of all parties who are involved in the adoption process (e.g., a mother who surrenders her child for adoption, an adoptive child, an adoptive parent, a compassionate case worker, etc.).

Post-Adoption stress has many social and personal reasons. e.g. You feel proud after becoming parents and all of a sudden tons of questions from friends and relatives invade you – "Why did u adopt this child" "She doesn't look like your" "She has a different skin color than you" "Do you know his parents" "Will you tell him that he was adopted" "Didn't you consider fertility techniques to have your own baby" "Adopted kids can never make you feel like a real mom" blaa blaa blaa. All such type of questions and many other incidents push you in the sate of Post-Adoption Stress.

Though it is none of others business to interfere with your decisions, but people don't stop. So it is you who has to prepare yourself for all these or similar kind of questions, remarks and statements. If prepared before the actual adoption process, you will face this courageously.

How can you prevent Post-Adoption Depression?

• First, educate yourself about Adoption Stress. If you understood that the feelings, thoughts, actions and the physical and spiritual reactions were a normal response to a very stressful, multifaceted experience, you would struggle with conflicted feelings.
• You must also understand that if you are prone to feelings of depression you won’t do fare well when faced with considerable stress.
• If you think become involved in support groups or counseling can help, do not hesitate.
• If you prepare yourself prior to the adoptive process you can ultimately decrease the post-adoption.