After two to three weeks, clinicians usually consider the mother's experience as postpartum depression.

CNN: Postpartum depression: When moms feel out of control

Defense attorneys point to Yates' troubling history with postpartum depression, suicide attempts and psychotic behavior.

CNN: Andrea Yates case: Expert says children suffered 'slow death'

"Half of all men whose partner has postpartum depression are depressed themselves, " Courtenay said.

CNN: New dads can get postpartum depression, too

He suggested there are several ways for new fathers to try to prevent postpartum depression.

CNN: New dads can get postpartum depression, too

Loo and Hansen both feel that they have become stronger people because they went through postpartum depression.

CNN: Postpartum depression: When moms feel out of control

How do these other problems differ from postpartum depression, and what should you look out for?

FORBES: Postpartum Psychology: Depression, Anxiety, OCD, and Psychosis

In the postpartum version of the disorder, not surprisingly, the obsessive-compulsive thoughts generally revolve around the baby.

FORBES: Postpartum Psychology: Depression, Anxiety, OCD, and Psychosis

People who already suffer from any kind of anxiety disorder are at greater risk of developing postpartum OCD.

FORBES: Postpartum Psychology: Depression, Anxiety, OCD, and Psychosis

In fact, in her study, Timpano showed that CBT can be an effective preventative method for postpartum OCD.

FORBES: Postpartum Psychology: Depression, Anxiety, OCD, and Psychosis

About 1% of the general population suffers from OCD proper, but the number is much higher for women postpartum.

FORBES: Postpartum Psychology: Depression, Anxiety, OCD, and Psychosis

Because postpartum psychosis is more serious, it should be treated with the help of a knowledgeable health care professional.

FORBES: Postpartum Psychology: Depression, Anxiety, OCD, and Psychosis

During an interview with host Matt Lauer, Cruise criticized the actress Brooke Shields for having taken antidepressant drugs to combat postpartum depression.

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One of the biggest causes of maternal death is postpartum hemorrhaging (PPH), which occurs when a woman bleeds heavily, often right after giving birth.

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Postpartum OCD is one of the family of anxiety disorders, and some women may suffer from postpartum anxiety without all the symptoms of OCD.

FORBES: Postpartum Psychology: Depression, Anxiety, OCD, and Psychosis

The findings underscore how important it is for women to lose their baby weight and keep postpartum weight gain to a minimum, the researchers say.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Most people are aware of postpartum depression as a common and no-longer-shameful problem faced by mothers, and occasionally fathers, in the early post-baby months.

FORBES: Postpartum Psychology: Depression, Anxiety, OCD, and Psychosis

One recent study found that almost 13% of the women sampled experienced general postpartum anxiety, as opposed to postpartum depression, of which 17% suffered.

FORBES: Postpartum Psychology: Depression, Anxiety, OCD, and Psychosis

Male postpartum depression is different from the "daddy blues, " he said.

CNN: New dads can get postpartum depression, too

In retrospect, Loo believes she experienced postpartum depression with each of her three children, but the most intense feelings of losing control came with her youngest.

CNN: Postpartum depression: When moms feel out of control

Postpartum depression is more intense and intrusive: Women may lose interest in life, withdraw from family and friends, or think about harming themselves or their children.

CNN: Postpartum depression: When moms feel out of control

Cognitive behavioral therapy -- which focuses on changing thought patterns -- and antidepressant or anti-anxiety medications are all treatment options for women with postpartum depression, Kleiman said.

CNN: Postpartum depression: When moms feel out of control

In fact, moms with postpartum OCD may be the least likely to harm their babies, since their symptoms revolve specifically around not wanting something bad to happen.

FORBES: Postpartum Psychology: Depression, Anxiety, OCD, and Psychosis

According to Dr. Kiara Timpano, who just published a study on postpartum OCD prevention in the Journal of Psychiatric Research, the incidence of postpartum OCD ranges from 2%-9%.

FORBES: Postpartum Psychology: Depression, Anxiety, OCD, and Psychosis

Although in some cases, dark thoughts can be a severe and debilitating symptom of a postpartum anxiety or depressive disorder, usually they are just an unpleasant part of normal adjustment.

CNN: When motherhood becomes a nightmare

Yates had a history of postpartum psychosis, major depression and two suicide attempts before she drowned her children and laid their bodies on her bed, covering them with a sheet.

CNN: Andrea Yates case: Expert: Mom believed she was battling Satan

And we're not necessarily talking about postpartum depression here.

CNN: When motherhood becomes a nightmare

Luckily, there are effective treatments for postpartum psychiatric conditions.

FORBES: Postpartum Psychology: Depression, Anxiety, OCD, and Psychosis

Some of the symptoms of postpartum depression are the same as those for generalized depression, such as sadness, a sense of worthlessness and a loss of interest in sex or hobbies.

CNN: New dads can get postpartum depression, too

If you develop a postpartum depression, treat it quickly, because we know that when new moms get depressed, their babies suffer now and are much more likely to develop mental illness as they age.

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About 8% experienced both postpartum issues at once.

FORBES: Postpartum Psychology: Depression, Anxiety, OCD, and Psychosis