WHEN you lose someone or something dear to you, it’s natural to feel pain and grief. The grief process is normal, and most people go through it and appear to handle it well enough. Grief and sadness does not only affect members of a family, but it can extend to close friends, colleagues and others.

When grief takes over your life and you may begin to feel hopeless, helpless or worthless, then it is time to talk to your doctor or a professional, and find out the difference between normal grief and depression.