You can’t blame hormonal changes, you have no incision pain from a cesarean section, or an episiotomy to heal, or difficulties breastfeeding. Everyone expects you to be happy and thankful for the adopted child you have longed for, but you feel panic and/or maybe even depressed.

Yes, post adoption depression is a real condition. Many adopting Mothers feel there is no validation to their feelings of sadness or anxiety because society expects them to be grateful for the child they have received. However, feeling overwhelmed about your new role as a Mother and the responsibilities that come with it, is not a reaction that stems from the actual pregnancy, but the long awaited parenthood that came after.

Raising a child is a tremendous responsibility and it is life changing. Many adopting Mothers are older when they start their new role as a Mom. Parenthood is a role that can drain your energy and take a toll you on physically as well. Also, the older you are when becoming a Mom, the harder it may be to adjusting to this new and entirely different lifestyle.

Another cause for post adoption blues is the actual completion of your long awaited desire to be a Mother. After years of chasing the dream of motherhood, perhaps also after foregoing unfruitful fertility treatments, you are at the end of the road with a child in your arms. The emotional rush that accompanied your days on the way to parenthood has abruptly dissolved and you need to adjust to the concept of achieving this tremendous goal.

If you adopted a baby, much like a birth mother, you are facing sleepless nights, you may be learning to care for a baby for the first time and question your knowledge/capabilities/etc.

Bringing home a new baby or child is a big change, accompanied with new responsibilities and added financial expenses amongst other things. It is normal to feel overwhelmed and equally important to give yourself a break and accept help, or in some cases – ask for it.