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Has anyone ever suffered from severe anxiety and still became a foster parent? I suffer from social anxiety, general anxiety and depression, It is so severe that I am disabled and receive SSI (supplemental security income). I cannot take medication to help because they make me sick, I only control it by avoiding situations that I know make it worse and asking for help when needed. I am working to get better and still hope that one day I will be able to live a "normal" life. I know people with mental illness can be foster parents but I don't know of any who are actually disabled by it. I have one child who I am a great mother to, yes I have had to ask for help a few times when I became overwhelmed (cooking,cleaning,doctor appointments..) but she's happy and healthy and doesn't even seem to notice that inside I'm a nervous wreck.
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Before even checking to see if you could pass the homestudy, I'd ask your dr or therapist what they think. I know several people who had to have their doctor indicate they were stable and able to parent in order to pass the homestudy.Also, not to be mean, but why do you want to do this? You need to think about what happens to a child who has been through trauma, then comes to your home. That alone could trigger additional anxiety for you and then what happens to that child? Do they face more trauma because you have to disrupt the placement? My initial feeling from your post is that you might be biting off more than you could chew. Talk to your therapist first and get their input. They know your situation better than we do and can give you better advice on whether or not this is something you should pursue.
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dmariehill
Before even checking to see if you could pass the homestudy, I'd ask your dr or therapist what they think.
I know several people who had to have their doctor indicate they were stable and able to parent in order to pass the homestudy.
Also, not to be mean, but why do you want to do this? You need to think about what happens to a child who has been through trauma, then comes to your home. That alone could trigger additional anxiety for you and then what happens to that child? Do they face more trauma because you have to disrupt the placement?
My initial feeling from your post is that you might be biting off more than you could chew. Talk to your therapist first and get their input. They know your situation better than we do and can give you better advice on whether or not this is something you should pursue.
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My DH has an anxiety disorder (OCD)
He was able to foster/adopt (and, honestly, being a father has helped more than any medicine or therapy :love: )
His doctor had to affirm that he was healthy enough to parent. We were also asked about his issued during out home study
best of luck to you