Depression is a widely prevalent mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide, but evidence consistently shows it manifests differently in women compared with men. The reasons for this difference include a combination of biological, psychological, hormonal, and social factors.

The period after birth is often described as joyful, but for many parents it can also be overwhelming, confusing, and emotionally heavy. Postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety are common mental health conditions that can occur after childbirth. They are medical conditions, not personal failures, and they deserve understanding and care.

If you’ve ever found yourself wrapping presents at midnight, Googling “easy side dishes that look impressive,” or whispering I love my family, I love my family while stepping on your 37th stray ornament, just know this: you’re not alone. Holiday stress is real. And it tends to hit moms like a rogue Elf on the Shelf falling from a chandelier.