Post-Adoption Depressive Syndrome: It's Not Unusual to Feel Sad After an Adoption

• Is the problem interfering with your work, relationships, health or medical conditions or other aspects of your personal life?
• Have you been feeling less happy, less confident and less in control than usual for a period of several weeks or longer?
• Have close, trusted friends or family members commented on changes in your behavior and personality?
• Have your own efforts to deal with a problem failed to change your behavior or improve the situation?
• Is dealing with everyday problems more of a struggle than before?
• Are you having suicidal thoughts?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, talk to your health care professional immediately about how you are feeling.

Various treatments are available, including antidepressants, counseling or a combination of both.

If your symptoms are not severe, you may want to try spending more time with your new child. Bonding is an important part of your son's or daughter's development and strengthens your relationship with them.

Additionally, remember to take care of yourself during this difficult time. This means eating right, exercising and avoiding drugs or excessive alcohol consumption.