Dear Tracy, 

I feel a little (okay, A LOT) exposed writing this, but like we’ve said from the beginning: we can’t be the only ones feeling x,y, or z. It’s one of the reasons we started this adventure of Maternity Fraternity. 

So here goes: I have anxiety. 

For most of my life it’s been a low hum in the background and after the birth of my son I was diagnosed with Post Partum Depression…but it turns out as time goes by and hindsight is 20/20 it was definitely Post Partum Anxiety. 

I have coping skills for the day to day low hum that is just a part of my life. 

Growing up military meant any mental health issues were not openly discussed and either quietly dealt with or compartmentalized to deal with another day. I’m really good at both. 

But, like a tide that rises, it becomes too much for periods throughout my life. When these things happen, I cannot insist enough that you should seek professional help.