Oh, the whirlwind of emotions after birth! I remember being puzzled when my friend mentioned postpartum anxiety—it can be hugely different from postpartum depression.

While postpartum depression often shows up as extreme sadness, low energy, or a lack of interest in things you used to love, postpartum anxiety is like being stuck in overdrive. You're constantly worried, feel jittery, and have persistent concerns about your baby and your new role as a mom.

Physical symptoms? Oh boy, racing heartbeats and sweaty hands felt like my new normal during those anxious months. Whereas friends dealing with postpartum depression shared feelings of numbness or hopelessness.

Does this mean different treatments? Absolutely! Addressing postpartum anxiety might involve therapy focused on managing worry and stress, sometimes alongside medication. Whereas beating postpartum depression often requires dealing with those underlying emotions in specialized ways.

In both cases, seeking support is key. I leaned on both my friends and my doc during this time. So please, if you're experiencing either—or both—reaching out early can make all the difference as you embrace this new chapter.