[SCADC]

This is my first post here. (cross-posted from Ukraine forum)
We have been researching adoption from Ukraine and were told by an agency that if an adoptive parent takes medication for depression and/or diagnosed with depression, they will not be approved for adoption in the Ukraine.
Is this the norm for other countries as well?
Thank you for your input.

[momraine]

Different countries have different rules.

[kretzklan]

You will find that most countries have strict rules about being medicated (or diagnosed) with mental illness. This would be a discussion to have with your agency and social worker - maybe even a doctor. I'll PM you with some other info.

[amyfk]

I have GAD generalized anxiety disorder and the reason I went towards adoption is because my doctors didnt want me to undertake a pregnancy with my medication onboard. I couldnt get off of the more "dangerous ones(for pg.) successfully."
It has been two years now since Ive adopted but I adopted from Russia with an agency that works in many regions. My agency works with folks with anxiety and depression.
IF youre interested in finding out, PM me and I'll give you their name.
In my opinion there is a wide spectrum of folks with mental illness/difficulties. I think some countries/agencies do realize this luckily.
Amy K, NJ

[sak9645]

In the U.S., mild depression and anxiety are not considered "mental illness". And seeking counseling or taking medication for these disorders is actually considered positive, since these actions can significantly improve functioning.

Many people also seek counseling for other reasons, such as overcoming a fear of flying, developing confidence about public speaking, enhancing communication in their marriage, learning to negotiate better in the workplace, dealing with grief over a miscarriage, and so on. Again, these sorts of issues are not considered "mental illness", and seeking help with them is viewed positively in the U.S.

In many of the countries from which Americans adopt, however, there is a totally different view. In those countries, people don't seek counseling or take medication for anxiety or depression unless they are well and truly "crazy". For one thing, they usually can't afford these "luxuries" when they can barely afford to put food on the table. For another, there is often a cultural bias against discussing personal problems with strangers or admitting "weakness."

As a result, when foreign officials hear that a prospective parent has visited a psychiatrist or psychologist, or has taken Prozac or Xanax, they become alarmed. What they automatically assume is that the person has a serious mental illness, and is too unstable to parent.

American adoption professionals have tried to educate foreign officials about how the use of mental health services in the U.S., but success has been very limited. Most of the foreign judges and such have not lived in the U.S., and haven't experienced the differences in culture, so they remain skeptical.

Also, unfortunately, there have been cases in which parents WERE accepted with a history of mental health treatment, and subsequently committed suicide or were involved in child abuse. It is also possible that SOME agencies approved people who should not have been approved, such as people with fairly severe depression that was not well controlled. Situations like these make foreign adoption authorities very reluctant to approve parents with ANY history of depression or anxiety.

If you have mild anxiety or depression and have been treated successfully for it, you MAY, unfortunately find that some countries will not accept you. But there are likely to be others that will. Make a list of the countries of interest to you, and then begin talking with a variety of agencies about whether you can be accepted. If you already have an approved homestudy, which has addressed the issue of mental health and found you well qualified to parent, all the better.

Sharon

[Nursie222]

There is no yes or no answer because it depends case by case I believe. I know on my health record form it asks about mental health and history but it also asks if I will be able to parent a child with any illnesses or disorders I may have. I believe there are other countries out there that would let you adopt if Ukraine will not. good luck

[jessibird]

Originally Posted by SCADC

This is my first post here. (cross-posted from Ukraine forum)
We have been researching adoption from Ukraine and were told by an agency that if an adoptive parent takes medication for depression and/or diagnosed with depression, they will not be approved for adoption in the Ukraine.
Is this the norm for other countries as well?
Thank you for your input.

China also does not accept depression or any history of medication for it.

[SCADC]

Actually, what we have found through our adoption advisor (note - I did not say agency) is that there is no such law in Ukraine. It does state mental illnesses, however, she has had persons approved who are in the same situation. My MD said that in my case, it is situational and there should be no problem. Just as in most other instances, I guess it is how it is viewed by the judge and the SDA.
The two agencies who stated that they would not represent us are both Christian agencies, and being Christians ourselves, we were quite disappointed.
We are in the process of home study at this time and expect our home visit next month.
Thank you for everyone's responses.

[gsmith]

I am not a doctor, just sharing my personal experience as I have had depressions and anxiety for sometime. The best way to get over anxiety and depression is to take a break from your regular schedule, go out, and take good sleep. This helps in clearing the mind and try consulting a specialist who can suggest you as how you can get over your problem. There are various prescription drugs to get over anxiety and depression, but these should only be used in accordance with the instruction of a physician. There is a lot of fake selling of such medicines on internet, so before you can order it online just make sure it is a real pharmacy.

[SCADC]

My depression was situational and well controlled. No problems with it since 2000. It was basically a result of failed fertility treatments and a stressful job. My MD sees no problem with it. I never saw a Psychologist or counselor.
If you look at the medical form, it asks for Psychological/mental disease. I guess it is all in the interpretation.
We have submitted to our state DSS and waiting for them to submit to INS, so we have not been submitted to Ukraine yet, but there are no foreseen problems.
Thank everyone for their insight on this matter.

[Dearonebaby]

Unfortunately most agencies will make up their "ideal regulations" that exist on top of the country regs or the orphanage regs and this confuses and dismisses good parents seeking to find their children. Please be careful to ask more than a couple agencies when questioning and be sure to ask if the regs presented are country, agency or orphanage. Also, this happens in many agencies across the board. I am glad that you found someone to work with and I hope that you find your child soon!!