Every mom knows that the first few months of motherhood–while amazing–can also be incredibly isolating and difficult.

I’ve been accused of highlighting the hard parts of motherhood a little too much, but that’s a criticism I’ll happily take. For every crazy funny story I post about one of my typical days, there are just as many moments that make me feel a little crazy and less-than.

In my latest podcast episode, I interviewed Jen Schwartz from Motherhood Understood.

Not only is this site a resource for women looking for direction on postpartum mood disorders, but it’s also a community where moms can share their experiences and personal stories about early motherhood.

Here’s some great Cliffs Notes info I want you guys to take away from this episode, but of course you should check out the episode to get much more, including the personal story behind Jen starting her website.

POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS (affecting up to 1 in 7 women):

✖️ Crying
✖️ Anger
✖️ Generalized anxiety
✖️ Withdrawal from loved ones
✖️ Emotional numbness
✖️ Feeling disconnected
✖️ Loss of interest in things you love
✖️ Thoughts of hurting yourself or your child

POSTPARTUM PSYCHOSIS SYMPTOMS (affecting 1 to 2 out of every 1,000 women):

✖️ Psychotic breaks
✖️ Suicidal ideation (idealizing suicide)
✖️ Intense mood swings
✖️ Confusion
✖️ Suspiciousness
✖️ Inability to sleep
✖️ Attempts at hurting oneself or child

POSTPARTUM ANXIETY SYMPTOMS:

✖️ Crying
✖️ Irritability
✖️ Restlessness
✖️ Worries about safety of child
✖️ Lack of concentration

Jen founded a blog, The Medicated Mommy, years ago to share her own journey with postpartum depression and connect with other moms who were facing the same difficulties.

That blog eventually spun off into Motherhood Understood, an online community where women not only share their own personal stories about early parenthood, but Jen also provides resources that point moms in the right direction if they need help.

I’m going to say this one more time: Moms, you are not alone.

Jen and her community are here to prove that. And the explosive growth of her community has proven that moms are here to support one another no matter what.

In this episode we talk:

+ Postpartum mood disorders

+ The differences between PPD and postpartum anxiety, psychosis and other mood disorders

+ The beauty and the difficulty of early motherhood

+ Why moms these days are sharing their stories more than ever

For more real talk on babies and motherhood, check out Motherhood Understood.

If you are someone you know are in need of help after having a baby, go to postpartum.net or call 1-800-944-4773.

LISTEN TO OUR WHOLE CONVERSATION BELOW, AND DON’T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE TO GET THE LATEST EPISODES SENT RIGHT TO YOUR DEVICE!