My husband and I have been together since 1987. In the beginning, my husband's d would end on its own without him getting any help. He left me when we were dating and living together, talking about marriage(that was the first time I experienced his d.) He did come back to me when the episode ended. Over the years, his episodes have gotten worse, both longer lasting and more intense. He has needed both talk therapy and an ad to help with these.

As I have said on this board many times before, if he does get better and you do get back together, he very well may have another episode or a lifetime of episodes. Only you know how much you can handle. Just yesterday, my husband had a situation that caused a huge overreaction on his part. We were talking after and he said it wasn't fair to me to have to continually deal with him and maybe I'd be better off without him. I first cried and asked him to never say that, I loved him, am happy with my decisions to be with and to stay with him, and I thought I was meant to be with him because I do not think anyone else could deal with the man his d makes him and help him and my family through it. BUT that is not always easy. I am strong and handling things very well now. That was not always the case.

As far as his friends helping him, I kind of doubt that will happen...at least if his d is anything like my husbands. My husband is very social and friendly in public situations...it is a totally different story at home. My daughters and I are really the only people who have seen the true extent of his d. Anne explains this in her book as the Dr. Jekyl/Mr. Hyde syndrome. No one would ever suggest he get help, because no one ever sees the d. Good luck!