[MoMommy71]

I'm sorry to jump right in with a question, but this has been burning in my mind and "preventing" me from initiating the adoption process. (I x-posted in the "adoptive Parents" forum b/c I'm still trying to navigate the board

DH and I have been married 15 years and have a beautiful 5 yo son. I was diagnosed with unipolar depression and an anxiety disorder at age 11. After the birth of my son, my body went haywire and I was rediagnosed with Bipolar Disorder II. I am on a variety of meds, see a pyschiatrist on a monthly basis as well as a therapist. I have come a long way in learning to deal with my ups and downs (the ups aren't as serious as someone with BPI), but I do experience symptoms once a month for about a week during the time around my period. In psychiatric speak, this means I am not "stablized". However, I work extremely hard to manage my symptoms and minimize their effect on my life and the lives of my DH and DS. I am currently involved in every mode of treatment available to someone with BPII and I'm very active in my own treatment. Not to mention that I've managed to raise my son as a SAHM and he's none the worse for wear

The other pertinent factors that would affect an adoption all seem positive: Both of our parents live within an hour and my brother lives 10 minutes away. DH has a great job at one of the local hospitals and we are financially sound. We both have master's level education.

I know its difficult to provide advice for specific cases, but I was hoping someone had experience or knowledge of parents with mental illnesses adopting. Am I setting myself up for hurt by trying to adopt? My inability to have any more biological children, due to the meds I have to take and the knowledge that another pregnancy could make my illness even worse, is extremely painful, as I'm sure many of you know. I would love to share in the life of another child, but if my mental illness is going to prevent this I'd much rather know this before we get started.

Thank you so much for reading and providing a forum for me to ask this question.

[bajj]

I would say to just ask different agencies what their policies are. Also, if you are adopting internationally it really might be a problem.

Talk to the social workers and ask them what they think. I think if you are continuing treatment and have a big support system for when baby comes home, then you should be ok. It doesn't hurt to ask!

[GlamRock]

I suggest just calling around to the agencies you may want to work with and asking if they have a problem with it or policy against it. Be sure to mention that it's controlled with medication and also if your last episode was when you were pregnant, it's a good reason to adopt! LOL

I honestly don't think it would be an issue domestically.

Keep your head up, and Good Luck!

[MoMommy71]

Thank you for your kind responses. You've provided some hope that we might be able to adopt. I do find it interesting that a domestic adoption seems more feasible as opposed to international in my situation.

Thanks again!