The Happy Ever After Playlist

In her author’s note, Jimenez says that Sloan’s character was inspired by Jimenez’s childhood friend, who lost her husband and retreated from life. Jimenez states that writing the novel was “a cathartic exercise, my own way of working through the confusing, shattered aftermath I was witnessing, a way to make my friend better, even if it was just fiction—because nothing I did in real life seemed to help her” (Jimenez, Abby. “Author’s Note.” The Happy Ever After Playlist, 2020). Prolonged or persistent complex grief disorder (PGD), another name for complicated grief, is a condition that arises when the typical mourning process becomes too intense and ongoing to allow the person to move on with their life. Profound sadness that does not go away and may even get worse over months or years characterizes complicated grief, in contrast to regular grief, which may come and go over time. This disorder is a significant mental health condition since it can affect a person’s emotional, physical, and social well-being. 

Losing a loved one is an intensely emotional and intimate process. The degree and duration of grief, which is a normal response to death, vary based on the individual and their relationship with the deceased. The mourning process, however, becomes stalled in cases of complex grief. A persistent sensation of disbelief or a sense that their life is on hold may result from those who experience the condition’s inability to accept the truth of the loss. The person may experience emotions of emptiness and alienation from other people; this protracted grief frequently manifests as intrusive thoughts or memories of the deceased. Complicated grief can significantly impact mental health. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression symptoms are frequently linked to it. Extreme emotional discomfort, social disengagement, trouble focusing, or a lack of joy in life are all possible symptoms of complicated grieving. People may also experience bodily symptoms, including exhaustion, altered appetite, and irregular sleep patterns. Grief processing difficulties can affect one’s capacity to function in relationships and the workplace and negatively impact general health.

Complicated grief has many explanations. This disorder can develop because of many factors, including the type of loss, the person’s personality, past trauma or loss experiences, and a lack of social support. For instance, the mourning may be more severe and complex to reconcile if the loss is abrupt, violent, or unexpected. Furthermore, complicated mourning may be more likely to develop in people who already have mental health conditions like anxiety or depression. Psychotherapy, especially cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or prolonged grief treatment (PGT), a specific type of grief counseling, is commonly used to treat complicated grieving. Healthcare providers may occasionally recommend medication to treat anxiety or depression symptoms. Support groups can also offer consolation and validation as people share their experiences with other bereaved people. Seeking support from loved ones, community services, and mental health specialists can assist people experiencing protracted grieving to get through the challenging process of healing and figure out how to move forward after loss (Appelbaum, Paul, and Lamyaa Yousif. “Prolonged Grief Disorder.” American Psychiatric Association, 2022).