He's not slipping away, he's just hidden by his symptoms, and its temporary. This beast is cyclical by nature, so this current episode can't last forever, that you can be sure of.


You don't have to just sit by and watch either, write him letter that he can read when he gets discharged, educate yourself on his new diagnosis, whether that be reading up, speaking to his doctor, attending a support group, or asking for info on the BP forum.


You don't have to sit by idly and feel helpless.


Sadly, how he copes afterward will gave alot to do with the state his marriage is in.


He'll naturally feel guilt ridden, confused, lost, and if he even smells that he may have to deal with this alone, that this episode has irrevocably changed things between you, well that wont make recovering from it and adjusting to this label any easier.


I feel for you, I do, I know how negatively our behaviors can affect our loved ones. So I am not trying to invalidate your experience by any means, but if you can't make him the focal point of this episode, then you may want to think long and hard about the future of your marriage.