| This theoretical project explores some clinical and practical implications of post-adoption depression in a specific case. The term post-adoption depression was utilized to describe depression experienced by an adoptive mother during the first year after her child comes home. There is little literature to date that addresses the psychological experiences of adoptive parents. A review of postpartum depression literature reveals that most risk factors associated with postpartum depression are psychosocial and psychological rather than biological. As such, similarities and differences between postpartum and post-adoption depression are explored with attention to these psychosocial and psychological risk factors. Unique risk factors for post-adoption depression are proposed, in addition to a consideration of special challenges adoptive mothers with depression may face.;A case study of an adoptive mother with post-adoption depression is offered to illustrate some of the issues that may be relevant to post-adoption depression. Theoretical concepts from infant research, attachment theory and object relations, including intersubjectivity, reflective function and primary maternal preoccupation, are applied to the case. Two novel concepts, disruption fantasy and dissolution fantasy, are proposed for consideration. The potential impact of adoptive mother depression on adopted children is also addressed. |
