Long-term grief can activate pleasure areas of the brain, creating the risk of addiction

On reflection this makes a lot of sense. I'd think that Münchhausen syndrome and such might be related to this, too. Even Stockholm syndrome may be connected in the same way that some tend to be addicts.

There can definitely be a strong attachment to a culture of misery and grief. All sorts of reasons for this, including
heightened awareness of self, care from others, distraction from other negative feelings and responsibilities, and the sense of inclusion in a grand narrative of quasi-tragic dimensions.