[kakuehl]

A question came up today in a conversation with a friend of mine today. Her daughter-in-law has been diagnosed as bi-polar and told by the doctors NOT to get pregnant again. They believe that it was her pregnancy with her 6 yr old son which triggered her disease. She/they would dearly love to have more children. She believes that being bi-polar would keep them from adopting. Do any of you know if this is true?

[joskids]

I know that medical issues are generally looked at by agencies this way -- if it is a diagnosis that would keep someone from living a generally "normal lifestyle", they would still be considered. I would tell her to call various agencies and pose that question. I have a friend who is bi-polar, carried a very healthy pregnancy and did well emotionally, and is an outstanding mother now. Best wishes to your friend.

Josie

[DebCsMom]

Pregnancy doesn't "trigger" Bi-Polar. Bi-Polar is a mental Illness that someone is born with. It may have been a coincedence that her Bi-Polar was diagnosed during her prenancy. Mher hormones during pregnancy made her more depressive. It can take awhile to be diagnosed but she most likely had these signs & symptoms all along. It just doesn't "pop up".

If her Drs. & Physchiatrists say she is under control there should be no reason why she couldn't adopt. I know MANY people with Bi-Polar who have adopted.

We adopted a newborn 4 years ago who has recently been diagnosed with Early On Set Bi-Polar. This is a genetic illness.

GOOD LUCK!

Deb

[HongKongMomma2B]

Yep. It's definitely a genetic illness. One of my grandmothers is schizophrenic and. lo and behold, I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder at the age of 19. If I were her, I would go to a different doctor.

I'm glad to hear that many people with bipolar disorder have adopted because I was afraid that it would stop me from adopting as well. The agency I plan on using informed me that Hong Kong doesn't require a psychological eval., but you never know what'll happen from one day to the next!

[MlynnBrrtt]

Would such a medical diagnosis have to be placed in a profile for domestic infant adoption? I know that is most likley something that Pbmom's would want to know about when choosing a family. Having first hand experience with being raise by a person who was bi-polar and depressive I personally would'nt place my child into an adoptive home with a bi-polar parent. Not that bi-polar people can't make great parents....but from my own personal experience....it wouldn't be something I would ever consider for a child if I needed to place for adoption.....I would want to know if the potential parents had any type of medical or mental illness that might effect the quality of life of my child.

[HongKongMomma2B]

MlynnBrrtt--

I have read that they ask about mental illnesses and such during homestudies for domestic and SOME international adoptions. I don't know if this is true or not. I just know that Hong Kong does not.

My question would be was the person you were raised by taking their medication? I know someone who doesn't take her medication and isn't that great of a mother. I take mine every day and have no extreme mood swings anymore. Then again, I'm more manic than depressive so that might have something to do with it too.

[mod]

Yes, mental illness should be discussed during your homestudy b/c if you don't say anything and they find out you withheld the info. it will be worse. I have learned through the process of doing our homestudy that social workers are very understanding IF AND ONLY IF....you are willing to deal with whatever the problem is through therapy, meds, or whatever it is your particular problem calls for...they will ask for letters from your doctor to confirm that you are getting help from a professional