Alice, my relationship is over. He is moving away and making plans for the future that dont include me. Its been a long road, but I am nearing the end of it. You are right when you say that some people function quite well with a mild/moderate form of D, the real crises arise when they are stressed by life events and cannot cope. This can tip them into a major MDE, I think it is a lifelong affliction and one that requires alot of management and commitment to manage it from the person with the illness. I think you would find it useful to read posts in 'From the Depression Sufferer's point of view' particularly those from Wrongway,
good luck,
Erin