Hi all. I started dating someone in September. We really, really click. One of the best humans I’ve ever met. He has been very transparent about his depression, and I’ve been supportive. He disappeared for 2 weeks in November and I assumed I had been ghosted. It was abrupt, because we had talked almost every day up until then. I sent him a few loving messages but never was mean or anything (thank you to my therapist for helping me navigate) and he surfaced very apologetic, explained he had a really bad low and sought treatment during that time and was under his family’s supervision. That was when I fully understood the severity of the situation. But very much wanted to continue because he actively is seeking treatment and is so kind and cool. Since then, he has only retreated for a few days here and there…. Until now. He went dark mid March and it’s been almost 5 weeks. :( I have been really surprised it’s lasted this long as the only thing I had to gauge it on was November. I assumed around the two week mark he would surface. But he hasn’t. I sent him a few loving texts (around 1 a week saying I was here if he needed anything), but it has sucked to be left wondering how long it will be. And knowing how low he must be. Wish he’s let me in more, and up until this point he was really starting to. 

My question to you all - do I continue to send these texts or just sit back and wait (obviously while focusing on myself). We’ve been dating 6 months. I know that his disappearance is depression related and not like, he met someone else. He is very into me. 

The Reddit community has been enormously helpful to me with this. Prior to this situation, I had never quite understood what true depression looks like, that people really can just disappear for a while and that it has nothing to do with me. It’s so eye opening to know I’m not alone. And makes my heart ache for everyone going through it AND their partners going through it. Any advice is appreciated.