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Dr. Mark Lerner is a Clinical Psychologist and Traumatic Stress Consultant who focuses on helping people during and in the aftermath of traumatic events. He is the President of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress (www.aaets.org) and the originator of the Acute Traumatic Stress Management intervention model (www.atsm.org). Dr. Lerner wrote and produced the newly released audio book, Surviving and Thriving: Living Through a Traumatic Experience (www.DrMarkLerner.com). . Dr. Lerner consults regularly with individuals, schools and organizations—where he specializes in the education, training and implementation of Acute Traumatic Stress Management and the development of organizational and school-based crisis management teams. Dr. Lerner has conducted numerous interviews, including CNN Headline News, the Los Angeles Times, Newsweek, Self Magazine, Stars & Stripes, Reuters, the Associated Press and U.S. News & World Report. Most recently, he appeared on Dateline NBC.

r. Lerner also collaborates with the physicians of Adoptiondoctors.com , an innovative International Adoption Private Practice dedicated to helping parents and adoption agencies with the complex Adoption related medical and psychological concerns. This portal has become the GO TO place for Adoption related medical, psychological and social issues. All medical interactions are performed via, e-mail, express mail, telephone and fax. There is no need to make a live appointment or travel outside of you hometown. Blind referral and support services now available during your trip. Never feel like you are abandoned while you are overseas. Adoptiondoctors.com is just a computer click away.

New York Post-Adoption Depression is a symptom that falls under a much larger umbrella – what I have called “Adoption Stress.” The latter refers to the feelings, thoughts, actions and the physical and spiritual reactions of all parties who are involved in the adoption process (e.g., a mother who surrenders her child for adoption, an adoptive child, an adoptive parent, a compassionate case worker, etc.).

We can better understand and appreciate the depressive symptomatology experienced by many adoptive parents if we first consider 1) pre-adoption stressors, 2) stress associated with the acquisition of an adoptive child and 3) post-adoption stress. By focusing solely on Post-Adoption Depression, we miss the causative or related stressors that contribute to the adoptive parent’s feelings of sadness. For example, the attainment of a long-term goal of having an adoptive child often opens the door to seemingly insensitive questions from others about infertility and prior losses. These questions will likely stimulate unresolved feelings, and may cause adoptive parents to revisit pre-adoption stress. The acquisition of an adoptive child is often colored by serious medical concerns, “misunderstandings” and heartbreaking disappointments. And, the post-adoption experience is often marked by tremendous life changes, new responsibilities and a future marked by uncertainty and fear.

During a recent therapeutic session with a group of adoptive parents, we explored a number of participants’ feelings of sadness. Suddenly, one mother exclaimed, “I didn’t sign-up for this!” Her comment was met by applause from several of the participants. Her statement underscores the complex continuum of “before, during and after stressors” that are faced by adoptive parents.

How can we prevent Post-Adoption Depression? First, we must educate all people involved in the adoptive process about Adoption Stress. If more people understood that the feelings, thoughts, actions and the physical and spiritual reactions were a normal response to a very stressful, multifaceted experience, fewer people would struggle with conflicted feelings. We must also focus our attention on parents who have been prone to feelings of depression and do not fare well when faced with considerable stress. We must encourage them to become involved in support groups or counseling. If we do this prior to parents entering into the adoptive process we can ultimately decrease the post-adoption stress that is experienced by many adoptive parents.

by Mark Lerner, Ph.D.

Disclaimer
The information and advice provided is intended to be general information, NOT as advice on how to deal with a particular child’s situation and or problem. If your child has a specific problem you need to ask your pediatrician about it – only after a careful history and physical exam can a medical diagnosis and/or treatment plan be made. This Web site does not constitute a physician-patient relationship.

Dr. Mark Lerner is a clinical psychologist who focuses on helping people during and in the aftermath of traumatic events. Since a significant number of adoptive children have been exposed to traumatic experiences, Dr. Lerner has special interest in understanding the psychosocial and behavioral needs of these children. He is the President of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, www.AAETS.org and the originator of the Acute Traumatic Stress Management intervention model, www.ATSM.org.

New York Your question is a good one. It reflects an appreciation of the stress associated with the entire adoption process. The reality is, when we look closely at adoption, we realize that traumatic stress is pervasive—often impacting several, if not all, of the parties involved. Unfortunately, this traumatic stress is generally not recognized and its impact is misunderstood.

Traumatic stress refers to the feelings, thoughts, actions and physical reactions of individuals who are exposed to, or who witness, specific events that overwhelm their coping and problem-solving abilities. This experience is not limited to the adoptive child, nor is it limited to the adoption process per se. When considering traumatic stress experienced by parents of adoptive children, we must realize that there is pre-adoption stress, stress associated with the acquisition of an adoptive child, and post-adoption stress.

Adoptive parents often bring to the table a history of traumatic stress. For example, pre-adoption stressors may include fertility problems, losses and significant relationship conflicts. Once engaged in the adoption process, there are often serious medical concerns, “misunderstandings,” and heartbreaking disappointments. After adopting a child, additional traumatic stressors come into play, centering around the realization of a dream, tremendous life changes with new responsibilities, and a future marked by uncertainty and fear.

Once parents recognize and understand the potential of traumatic stress impacting their own lives before, during and after adopting a child, they may begin to address the host of feelings that may negatively color a truly priceless opportunity.

by Mark Lerner, Ph.D. President of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress

Disclaimer
The information and advice provided is intended to be general information, NOT as advice on how to deal with a particular child’s situation and or problem. If your child has a specific problem you need to ask your pediatrician about it – only after a careful history and physical exam can a medical diagnosis and/or treatment plan be made. This Web site does not constitute a physician-patient relationship.

Article Source: http://www.adoptiondoctors.com/articles

Dr. Mark Lerner is a clinical psychologist who focuses on helping people during and in the aftermath of traumatic events. Since a significant number of adoptive children have been exposed to traumatic experiences, Dr. Lerner has special interest in understanding the psychosocial and behavioral needs of these children. He is the President of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, www.AAETS.org and the originator of the Acute Traumatic Stress Management intervention model, www.ATSM.org.

Dr. Lerner also collaborates with Adoptiondoctors.com an innovative International Adoption Private Practice dedicated to helping parents and adoption agencies with the complex Adoption related medical and psychological concerns. This portal has become the GO TO place for Adoption related medical, psychological and social issues. All medical interactions are performed via, e-mail, express mail, telephone and fax. There is no need to make a live appointment or travel outside of you hometown. Blind referral and support services now available during your trip. Never feel like you are abandoned while you are overseas. Adoptiondoctors.com is just a computer click away.

New York It’s important to understand that traumatic stress, and posttraumatic stress, are not synonymous with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The former are very normal human reactions that are experienced in the face of abnormal events. The latter, PTSD, it a mental disorder marked by a significant disruption in functioning over time (e.g., recurrent and intrusive distressing recollections of the event, distressing dreams, flashbacks, difficulty concentrating, hypervigilance, an exaggerated startle response, and a host of avoidance behaviors).

Traumatic stress typically refers to the emotional, cognitive, behavioral and physiological experience of individuals who are exposed to, or who witness, events that overwhelm their coping and problem-solving abilities. These events are often unexpected and uncontrollable. They compromise an individual’s sense of safety and security and leave people feeling insecure and vulnerable. Traumatic stress disables people, causes disease, precipitates mental disorders, leads to substance abuse, and destroys relationships and families. In the case of the young institutionalized child, immature behaviors, behaviors that were typically abandoned in the past, are often manifested (e.g., thumbs sucking, bed wetting, fear of the dark, loss of bladder control, speech difficulties, decreases in appetite, clinging and whining, and separation difficulties). As these children become older, they may manifest periods of sadness and crying, poor concentration, fears of personal harm, aggressive behaviors, withdrawal/social isolation, attention-seeking behavior, anxiety and fears, etc.

Since preschool-age children do not yet possess the cognitive skills to understand a traumatic experience and since they lack the coping strategies to deal effectively with it, they look to adults in their environment for support and comfort. Unfortunately, the young institutionalized child may not find that comfort in their facility. They may not be exposed to adult figures who model an adaptive response in the face of adversity and who appropriately address their fears of abandonment. This experience only serves to reinforce feelings of aloneness.

It is critical to look beyond the physical and safety needs of young institutionalized children, and understand and address their emotional and behavioral needs. A mental health professional who is knowledgeable about traumatic stress, and how traumatic events impact young children, can be an invaluable resource in addressing the unique needs of the young institutionalized child.

by Mark Lerner, Ph.D.

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Disclaimer
The information and advice provided is intended to be general information, NOT as advice on how to deal with a particular child’s situation and or problem. If your child has a specific problem you need to ask your pediatrician about it – only after a careful history and physical exam can a medical diagnosis and/or treatment plan be made. This Web site does not constitute a physician-patient relationship.

New York How is traumatic stress manifested in adoptive children?

In the young adopted child, we see immature and regressive behaviors—behaviors that have been abandoned in the past are often observed again (e.g., thumb sucking, bed wetting, fear of the dark, loss of bladder control, speech difficulties, decreases in appetite, clinging and whining, and separation difficulties). Older children may manifest periods of sadness and crying, poor concentration, fears of personal harm, aggressive behaviors, withdrawal/social isolation, attention-seeking behavior, anxiety and fears, etc.

So, what is “Adoption Stress”? Does it refer solely to the experience of so many adoptive children?

The reality is, when we look closely at adoption, we realize that traumatic stress is pervasive – often impacting several, if not all, of the parties involved. Unfortunately, this traumatic stress, “adoption stress,” is generally not recognized and its impact is misunderstood. Consider the following….

Birth parents, who surrender a child for adoption, typically experience a great deal of stress. Oftentimes, due to their circumstance, they have little choice or control and must surrender their child for adoption.

Adoptive parents often bring to the table a history of stress. For example, pre-adoption stressors, which may include fertility problems, losses and significant relationship conflicts. There is also stress associated with the acquisition of an adoptive child. For example, there may be serious medical concerns, “misunderstandings,” and heartbreaking disappointments. Finally, post-adoption stress may center around the realization of a dream, tremendous life changes with new responsibilities, and a future marked by uncertainty and fear.

Adoption stress is manifested in the feelings, thoughts, actions and physical reactions of all parties associated with the adoption process—by birth parents, adoptive parents and certainly, adoptive children. By understanding adoption stress and recognizing the symptoms, we can intervene early, educate and empower victims, and prevent acute difficulties from becoming chronic problem

by Mark Lerner, Ph.D.

Submit Your Question

Disclaimer
The information and advice provided is intended to be general information, NOT as advice on how to deal with a particular child’s situation and or problem. If your child has a specific problem you need to ask your pediatrician about it – only after a careful history and physical exam can a medical diagnosis and/or treatment plan be made. This Web site does not constitute a physician-patient relationship.

Dr. Mark Lerner is a Clinical Psychologist and Traumatic Stress Consultant who focuses on helping people during and in the aftermath of traumatic events. He is the President of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress (www.aaets.org) and the originator of the Acute Traumatic Stress Management intervention model (www.atsm.org).

Your question is a good one. It reflects an appreciation of the stress associated with the entire adoption process. The reality is, when we look closely at adoption, we realize that traumatic stress is pervasive—often impacting several, if not all, of the parties involved. Unfortunately, this traumatic stress is generally not recognized and its impact is misunderstood.

Traumatic stress refers to the feelings, thoughts, actions and physical reactions of individuals who are exposed to, or who witness, specific events that overwhelm their coping and problem-solving abilities. This experience is not limited to the adoptive child, nor is it limited to the adoption process per se. When considering traumatic stress experienced by parents of adoptive children, we must realize that there is pre-adoption stress, stress associated with the acquisition of an adoptive child, and post-adoption stress.

Adoptive parents often bring to the table a history of traumatic stress. For example, pre-adoption stressors may include fertility problems, losses and significant relationship conflicts. Once engaged in the adoption process, there are often serious medical concerns, “misunderstandings,” and heartbreaking disappointments. After adopting a child, additional traumatic stressors come into play, centering around the realization of a dream, tremendous life changes with new responsibilities, and a future marked by uncertainty and fear.

Once parents recognize and understand the potential of traumatic stress impacting their own lives before, during and after adopting a child, they may begin to address the host of feelings that may negatively color a truly priceless opportunity.

Written by Dr. Mark Lerner, President of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic
Stress

The information and advice provided is intended to be general information, NOT as advice on how to deal with a particular child’s situation and or problem. If your child has a specific problem you need to ask your pediatrician about it – only after a careful history and physical exam can a medical diagnosis and/or treatment plan be made. This Web site does not constitute a physician-patient relationship.

Article Source: http://www.adoptiondoctors.com/articles

Dr. Mark Lerner is a Clinical Psychologist and Traumatic Stress Consultant who focuses on helping people during and in the aftermath of traumatic events. He is the President of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress (www.aaets.org) and the originator of the Acute Traumatic Stress Management intervention model (www.atsm.org). Dr. Lerner wrote and produced the newly released audio book, Surviving and Thriving: Living Through a Traumatic Experience (www.DrMarkLerner.com). . Dr. Lerner consults regularly with individuals, schools and organizations—where he specializes in the education, training and implementation of Acute Traumatic Stress Management and the development of organizational and school-based crisis management teams. Dr. Lerner has conducted numerous interviews, including CNN Headline News, the Los Angeles Times, Newsweek, Self Magazine, Stars & Stripes, Reuters, the Associated Press and U.S. News & World Report. Most recently, he appeared on Dateline NBC.

Dr. Lerner also collaborates with the physicians of Adoptiondoctors.com , an innovative International Adoption Private Practice dedicated to helping parents and adoption agencies with the complex Adoption related medical and psychological concerns. This portal has become the GO TO place for Adoption related medical, psychological and social issues. All medical interactions are performed via, e-mail, express mail, telephone and fax. There is no need to make a live appointment or travel outside of you hometown. Blind referral and support services now available during your trip. Never feel like you are abandoned while you are overseas. Adoptiondoctors.com is just a computer click away.

in New York

Americans adopting from Ethiopia have the unique privilege of meeting and visiting with the biological family, if they are known, in their villages. It is an opportunity which should be eagerly accepted because in years to come it will give your child tangible information about his/her ancestry, photographs for your child’s Life Book and yield important medical and psychological information about family genetics. This meeting will give a window into the circumstances for the adoption and provide the chance to obtain medical information from the birth family and officials and to take family pictures. These materials, as well as a few strands of hair from the birth mother, should be sent to your pediatrician while you are in Ethiopia or maintained for future genetic testing. In years to come DNA will provide a wealth of information to adoptive families and your doctor will be the repository of these materials and alert you to the latest findings. When in Ethiopia your child will be cared for in the orphanage by nannies, nurses and doctors. Your youngster will also receive check-ups from an outside physician in his/her office. If you have questions and are uncomfortable with the answers feel free to ask for a team consultation, as I did, with all the professionals involved with you child. If you continue to be concerned contact your physician in America for clarification before bringing your child home. Most importantly know that your child will receive inoculations in Ethiopia and must be in good health to qualify for the America visa. Your child will receive a final check-up in Ethiopia to certify these requirements have been met. In addition to knowing your child’s health and birth family you will meet the youngster you only “knew” from a photo within hours of your arrival in Ethiopia. Be aware that when you land in Addis Ababa you will be jetlagged from the long, exhausting trip. Therefore take the opportunity to get some rest, eat lightly and be refreshed when you meet your child. You want to feel your very best and be ready for one of the most joyous occasions you will experience. As you prepare to meet for the first time remember that your little one is not accustomed to many visitors or being held by newcomers. It will take both of you time to get acquainted. Enlist the assistance of the nannies who, although you may find them possessive in the beginning, will be a fund of information and full of helpful tips once you are assertive and they understand your good intentions. So spend as much time as you can during the first days in your child’s care center observing your child’s feeding schedule, appetite, sleep pattern and temperament. Get accustomed to feeding and bathing your child because in a few days the child you have been visiting daily will be placed in your custody. It will then be your decision to stay in the orphanage’s guest house or a hotel of your choosing, while you await completion of your paperwork. And in a few more days you and your child will journey home to America to start a new life. One of the great advantages of Ethiopian adoption is the streamlined procedures and the abbreviated schedule, which is usually completed within 5-7 days of your arrival in Ethiopia.

A few words of wisdom when you return home: minimize the number of visitors during the first weeks. This is a major life change for your youngster and time is needed to rest from the long flight and to adjust to new formula/food and the immediate family. You and all those who love you and your new child will have a lifetime to celebrate.

by Roberta Kalmar, LMSW

**Roberta Kalmar, LMSW, licensed master social worker has worked with special education evaluation teams as a guidance counselor and social worker for over 25 years. She maintains an Adoption Home Study practice specializing in international adoptions and has recently toured orphanages in Vietnam.

Disclaimer

The information and advice provided is intended to be general information, NOT as advice on how to deal with a particular child’s situation and or problem. If your child has a specific problem you need to ask your pediatrician about it – only after a careful history and physical exam can a medical diagnosis and/or treatment plan be made. This Web site does not constitute a physician-patient relationship.

© Roberta Kalmar, LMSW

This material has been provided by AdoptionDoctors.com, an innovative adoption medicine private practice and educational service, dedicated to helping parents and adoption agencies with the complex pre-adoption medical issues of internationally adopted children. All medical interactions are performed via, e-mail, express mail, telephone, and fax. There is no need to make a live appointment or travel outside of your hometown. For more information, visit AdoptionDoctors.com or call 631-499-4114.