(HealthDay News) -- Grief is a normal, healthy response to a significant loss, such as the death of a loved one or a divorce, but sometimes it may actually be depression.

The American Academy of Family Physicians lists these warning signs that what you're feeling may be depression instead of grief:

  • Your feelings of grief and sadness interfere with your daily life.
  • The sadness that you experience persists, instead of improving with time.
  • You begin to think about hurting yourself, or harming others.

Talk to your doctor if you notice any of these signs, or find that your feelings of grief are not improving.