[beautyqueen]

I need to ask this because its my biggest worry about our future adoptions. I have a from of bipolar (schizoaffective bipolar 2) such a long name I know. Anyways in short I am not schizophrenic but I do have some of the same problems being that I hear voices (not often) and on occasion I do see things. I am on meds and have not had any real big issues lately things have gone smoothly. I am just worried they may deny us for this. As I said I am on meds and my illness is controlled quite well. I dont even remember the last time I had any signs of it. Please do not look down on me for this, it is a hard thing to get through but Ive made it. It is actualy a big reason we are not having bio kids (that and 5 years of attempts have shown we cannot) I feel in the past few days I have really learned to trust you guys and feel comfortable sharing this. So if anyone knows please let me know. If you dont want to post I understand and your welcome to PM me.

Thanks so much.

[DianeS]

That really shouldn't cause you any problem, assuming you're in the USA and adopting from the USA. Like you said, it's controlled by medication and you haven't had any recent big issues with it. Just discuss it with your doctor and be sure he/she would be willing to sign a statement saying you have nothing wrong with you that would inhibit your ability to parent, and nothing that would prevent you from living a normal-length life span. Although the particular diagnosis you have is more unusual than simple depression, which social workers are becoming accustomed to seeing, it still would fall under the same rules, which are basically that as long as it doesn't impair your ability to parent, it shouldn't matter.

However, like I said, those are USA standards, but tend to hold true for most developed countries. If you choose to adopt from another country, you'll have to follow their standards, too. Many developing countries tend to judge adoptive parents by their own medical standards, so if your disorder is not really treatable there, they may not be willing to adopt to you. But if your condition is treatable there like it is here, you shouldn't have too many problems even internationally.

Just be honest, discuss it with your social worker, and prep your doctor for the type of statement he/she will be asked to sign testifying to your normal parenting abilities.

Good luck!

[tb1braswell]

Brandy,

I can't answer your question, but I did want to tell you that I can't think of a soul here on these boards that would look down on you for your medical condition.

Don't worry about what people will think. If anyone has a problem with you then they aren't the kind of people you want in your circle of friends anyway.

Take care, Theresa

[aimeelynn818]

Brandy,

My SIL suffers from the same condition, and since she cannot go off her meds nor have children while on the meds, they opted to adopt last year. They were successful and now have a 6 mo old boy.

It is a condition that you cannot control, therefore do not feel as though others are looking down on you. My SIL went through a lot before she found a medication that suited her, and in the meantime everyone was very supportive.

Best of luck to you!!!
Aimee

[clurock]

Do not feel bad about something you cannot control. If someone looks down on you for your illness...it is THEM with a problem NOT you!

I agree with DianeS, as long as you have a doctor who is willing to sign a paper stating that your illness should not interfere with your parenting you should have no problems. I have a rare blood disorder, which I was concerned would interfere with our adopting. Strangely enough or caseworker had the same thing!

Best of luck,

Christa

[beautyqueen]

Thank you all. You have made me feel really good. We are in the US and have just decided on US domestic adoption. Originaly we had planned on Russia but the cost was a little to high for us and the idea of getting our baby at birth here is very apealing. I just want a tiny baby to snuggle and I dont want to miss out on a single moment!

Aimee its nice to know your SIL had no problems. This has been my biggest concern. I do have another condition called osteopetrosis but its really nothing other then another reason to not have bio children. The odds of me passing that on ar about 50/50 but thats not a chance I want to take. Its nice to know someone else has the same condition I do but then again its not because this isnt something I would wish on anybody.

Thanks again to you all!

[camilleh]

I just wanted to chime in and say "Us too!" My dh is bipolar schizoaffective and we have been approved and are waiting to adopt. They told us as long as his doctor said it was okay we were fine

Good Luck on your adoption journey!!

[beautyqueen]

Camille, thats great! Up until today I had NEVER heard of anyone else with it. Like I said in a way Im glad Im not alone but I wouldnt wish this on anyone. I just started seeing a new Dr (mine was 45 minutes away) and he is much nicer then the old one so Im sure there would be no problems getting something from him. I plan to stick with him for as long as he or I lives. Hes so nice and really listens unlike the other one. Sorry you didnt ask for any of this.

Im off to the bookstore

[wannabemama]

I just wanted to say that I commend you on speaking about this topic. There might be other people here that wondered, but would never ask. I think people need to accept other people as they are; and I think you might have just given some people a little education, me included!!

My grandmother was schizophrenic, though I'm not sure which type, and was constantly having her meds switched. I'm very glad that you've found a doctor and meds that are working for you!!! I can't wait to hear about your adoption journey as it progresses!

Best wishes for your future!

[beautyqueen]

Wannabemama, my bio grandma was schizophrenic my mom and dad were both bipolar so Im a nice mix. Most of the time I just say Im bipolar and leave the schizoaffective part out. People are always like "you seem so normal" well one what the heck is "normal" and two well I guess there is no 2 LOL I was just diagnosed 2 1/2 years ago but it took nearly 18 years to finally be labeled as something and it was a relief. They think I had the early onset bipolar which they are just now recognizing that yes kids DO have this. My grandma (who raised me) said from the time I started talking something was jsut odd. Ive had halucinations as long as I can remember but what really triggered my first downward spiral was when I was 14 my dad was killed. Sadly I attemted to kill myself and then you could say all heck broke loose. Things were just really bad but I got through it with a counselor. I was then pretty much fine (still heard the voices) until I turned 20. Then alot of stuff happened in the family. Some close family members had major surgery, my grandma had a mini stroke and I had to cut ties with my mom for awhile. I got really bad and went back to a psych doc who finally gave me the diagnosis. Then I went off meds since we were TTC and then last December my grandma had a heart attack, my cousin found out the baby she was carrying had about a 10% chance of living, then a very good friend of 18 years was killed along with her husband and 3 of thier 4 children then my cousin had her baby and he died. So I started to spiral again, this time it didnt get as bad but thats because I didnt let it. I went back to the Dr only to be told I could never stop my meds. Every time you stop meds your condition gets worse (even though you may not be aware) and gets harder to treat. The meds I am on nobody knows if they will harm an unborn baby or not. Plus just the simple fact I could pass this on, I wouldnt want to have a bio child. I would feel so much guilt for the rest of my life ya know.

Anyways I just wrote a ton, as some of you will quickly learn I tend to take a subject and just run with it. As my aunt told me the other night I have "diarreah of the mouth" that also runs in my family

[tobeafamily]

Prospective adoptive parents hoping to adopt in the United States are protected by the Americans with Disabilites Act against discrimination based on disability.

Now, both you and DH will have to provide signed statements/physicals from your physicians certifying that you are physically and emotionally able to care for a child and that your life span is expeted to be long enough to raise this child to majority (18).

I would be upfront and honest about your condition as well as your current treatment, as well as be able to describe how you and DH plan to handle care for a child should your condition become unstable and require either outpatient or inpatient medical care.

HTH, best of luck,

Regina, AMom to Ryan Joshua Thomas

[Jmuckey]

I have worked in the mental health field for over 10 years. We completed our home study in April 04. I would encourage you to talk to our doctor about support groups in your area or any local commmunity mental health agencies. It is amazing how much support, education, and validation is out there waiting for you! Good luck in your journey.

[cindy123456789]

I do not have anything as serious as you. However, I was denied by the state to adopt because I went to counseling in college after the death of my father. I simply do not have the money to fight it. Good luck. I think they are wrong. I hope you have it better.