bipolar disorder and a homestudy

Hi, I'm not bipolar, but am in somewhat of a similar situation. I think it will depend on a lot of factors--are you stable on medications? How manic do you get? How depressed? When manic, are you psychotic? What kind of psychoses? (I'm not asking YOU these questions, I'm just thinking that these would be the type of questions homestudy people would be interested in. If you're stable on meds, then explain explain EXPLAIN. Make sure the social worker knows that mental illnesses are like physical illnesses, and that your taking lithium or depakote or tegretol or whatever to keep yourself stable is no different than a diabetic taking insulin to keep him or herself stable. I don't know where you're from, but in certain areas of the country, there is still a stigma (even amongst social workers) about mental health issues. If you are stable on meds, make sure that both your doctor and the social worker know that things are OK. If you have a treating psychiatrist, offer to put that person in touch with the social worker, or try to arrange a meeting in which the psychiatrist could tell the social worker about bp and specifically about your condition. I maintain myself on meds for major depression. With them (and I take them), I'm fine--without them, there are problems. When it comes time for my homestudy, I intend to offer an explanation like the one I described above. Those are the immediate things that come to mind. If you do become psychotic, or become extremely manic during manic episodes, it will probably be a lot more difficult than if you tend more towards depression and do not become psychotic. I wish you the best of luck. I have seen a lot of people on meds who would make great parents. I hope things go well for you. Noi (former mental health worker)

Dear Noi, Thank you very much for your response!!!! There are a lot of stigmas when it comes to mental health.It seems I cant even get passed a homestudy though unfortunately. I will keep trying!!!!

I'm sorry to hear that it didn't work out. Give yourself some time, make sure you're stable and have a HISTORY of being stable, and try again. Were you given any justification for not being approved besides the fact that you have bipolar disorder? I am completely venturing into the realm of speculation here, but if this was through the county or state, they would need to offer a reason why your illness made them believe you would not make an appropriate parent. If you're going through public agencies, the ADA should apply. I don't know about private agencies--possibly they make their own rules; possibly the ADA still applies. But that would only be in the case where the only reason they felt you were unfit was that you were bipolar. My thoughts are with you; don't lose hope, and think of me as well when my time comes, Noi

Have you gone through your homestudy yet? I have bipolar disorder, although I don't take medication for it... I was wondering if maybe I will not be approved for adoption.. Has anyone else run into problems with being approved? Thanks so much.. Stacy