Does Being Adopted Affect Your Health?

Potential health effects

Studies suggest adoptees are more likely to have experienced four or more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), which are known to increase the risk of health problems.

Some 2007 research suggests adopted children are twice as likely to have special healthcare needs compared with the general population. According to the National Survey of Adoptive Parents, 26% of adopted children have a diagnosis of ADD or ADHD, and 15% experience behavioral difficulties.

Additionally, adopted children and those in foster care are more likely to have been exposed prenatally to drugs or alcohol, which may cause health problems.

Psychological effects related to being adopted as a child may manifest later in life, such as in adolescence and adulthood, and can include an increased risk of suicide, depression, and substance misuse.

According to some 2024 research, relational challenges may also affect a person’s romantic relationships.

Mental health effects may result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. A 2020 study conducted in the UK suggests that adoptees could also have a higher chance of genetic predisposition to mental health problems in addition to stressful environments.

Challenges adoptees may face

Adoptees can experience difficulties at different points in their lives.

This often starts with early stressful environments, but also includes the adoption itself, challenges relating to adjustment, identity, social stigma, and the effects of missing health history.

Early experiences, adoption, and loss

A 2022 study suggests children adopted from care are more likely to have experienced early stage adversity and traumatic events. These may include abuse, neglect, and unstable living conditions.

A person may also experience multiple relocations and foster families before being permanently adopted.

Some may assume that issues will resolve once a child is adopted. However, research has found that adoption does not improve mental health when measured at 4 years following adoption. This suggests ongoing challenges and a need for continued care.

In fact, the adoption itself can be a source of trauma that may affect mental health. A 2024 study notes that separation from a birth family, particularly from the mother, may contribute to negative mental health effects.

Identity, belonging, and sense of self

Following adoption, a person must adapt to a new family and potentially a new culture. They may not share the same race as their adoptive family and community, which can further complicate identity formation.

Additionally, an adoptee may have little information about their birth family. These factors can all play a part in a loss of social identity and contribute to feelings of “otherness”.

Though not a recognized medical term, “genetic mirroring” is used by some to describe the experience of seeing a resemblance within your family. Little research currently exists on the topic; however, it’s possible this may also affect a sense of identity and belonging.

Adoptees may choose to reconnect with their birth family — oftentimes as an adult.

This process can involve complex challenges, including:

• difficulty locating family members
• differences in contact wishes
• language barriers
• disrupted relationships within the birth family
• navigating relations with an adoptee’s adoptive family

Adoptees may also find discrepancies between the adoption story they were told and later information. This is sometimes referred to as “microfiction,” which could be introduced with the aim of protecting the child but may have unintended effects.

Social stigma and bias

Adopted people often face social stigma and bias.

Adoptees can face insensitive or intrusive questioning from both peers and adults, for example, asking about where a person is “really” from, or who their “real” parents are.

People can also have misconceptions of adoption and view it as a last choice. This can cause adopted people to feel a sense of being “less than” non-adopted peers. Social narratives can also exist that may make a child believe they should feel “lucky” or “grateful” to be adopted.

Additionally, the media can contribute to the stigma felt by an adopted person — for example, television shows may inadvertently portray adoption negatively, using it as a punchline for a joke. An example may be when family members or siblings quip that a child with different interests or features “must be adopted.”

Though these interactions and portrays may not be intentional means to cause harm, these kinds of microaggressions can add up over time.

In medical settings

According to the National Council for Adoption, medical providers do not routinely discuss adoption-related health concerns with patients.

In a 2025 study, physicians reported little training or resources on treating adoptees with limited family medical history, which they note could potentially result in inadequate care.

Microaggressions can also occur in medical settings.

For example, a 2025 study highlights that “no medical concern” may be the only option on medical forms, but notes this is not the same as “unknown medical history”. The result may be missed opportunities for early interventions, such as genetic screenings, close monitoring, or lifestyle changes, for those potentially at higher risk.

For international adoptees, healthcare professionals may lack familiarity with health conditions specific to the country a child was adopted from.

Conversely, though a health condition may be more common within an adoptee’s ethnic group, certain contributing lifestyle risk factors may not be relevant.

What can parents do?

It can be helpful for families to ask as many questions about their child’s health and family medical history as early in the adoption process as possible. If adopting from abroad, it may be best to ask these questions on-site, as it may be the only chance to obtain this information.

To help support your child, warm parenting is thought to be a protective factor that may reduce the chance of behavioral and mental health difficulties.

Even after adoption, children can continue to experience feelings of grief or loss. Ensure your child has a safe space to share their feelings.

Though adoption is generally seen as a time for celebration and fresh starts, it’s also important to acknowledge the sense of loss and confusion that can come with it.

For internationally adopted children, it’s important to understand and discuss issues related to bias or racism that your child may experience.

A 2019 study suggests that transnational adoptive parents generally underestimate their child’s exposure to racism. Other research also found that intentional “color blindness” as a way to avoid racism may even make a transracial adoptee feel more isolated when they encounter racism in society.

Validating feelings, responding to cues, and being open to questions is crucial to ensure a child feels heard and supported.

What can adoptees do?

As an adoptee, though you may experience certain challenges in your life, know that many strategies can help you manage or protect against potential negative health effects.

Some difficulties may stem from the experiences you have had or that you continue to have. Recognizing these factors can help you take steps to support your well-being.

Additionally, being proactive and assertive about your needs and discussing the impact of adoption with your doctor can help ensure your unique challenges are not overlooked. This can include discussing how gaps in your medical history might affect your health.

Even without access to family medical information, know that you can still take control of your health in many ways, including:

• being intentional about healthy lifestyle choices
• attending scheduled checkups
• gathering any medical history you do have
• ensuring your doctor knows you are adopted
• speaking openly with your doctor about your concerns

Connecting with other adopted people may offer you the opportunity to discuss shared experiences.

Help and support can also take the form of speaking with healthcare professionals, such as a counselor or psychologist.