Grief is a natural and expected reaction that occurs when you lose someone or something important to you. You can grieve over the loss of a person, object, animal, or situation (such as a job or marriage). Grieving is the process you go through as you adjust to a major loss. After grieving, you are able to adjust to a new life without the lost person or object. Although different, this new life can be enjoyable and rewarding.

Other words often used to describe grief and grieving include sorrow, heartache, mourning, and bereavement. Bereavement usually is used only when referring to loss due to death.

Grieving is not the same as sadness, “the blues,” or depression . However, you may become depressed during the grieving process and may seek counseling and, possibly, medication to get better.

You may grieve a loss before it actually occurs. This is called anticipatory grieving. For example, a woman who is facing the surgical removal of a breast (mastectomy) may grieve the loss of her breast before surgery. Also, you may grieve for a loved one who is dying from a terminal illness. Anticipatory grieving helps you prepare for the loss.

Grieving is a personal experience. You may try to avoid or delay the grieving process. Although it may be possible to postpone grieving, it is not possible to avoid grieving altogether.

Time and support from other people are usually all that is needed to work through your grieving process.

• There is no "normal" time for the grieving process to be complete. Some people adjust to a new life within several months. Others grieve much longer.
• Support from family and friends is important during the grieving process. You may find the support you need by participating in a bereavement support group or by meeting individually with a grief counselor or spiritual adviser.