DEAR ABBY: I am a divorced single mother who has finally met someone. His name is “Greg,” and we’ve been dating for two months. Greg is also divorced and financially stable. The one thing I really like is that he gets along well with my teenage son.
The problem is, every two or three weeks, Greg falls into a deep sleep that lasts three days. He’ll get up for a glass of water or to run to the store, but goes right back to sleep. It causes him to miss work, and oftentimes he becomes verbally abusive during these episodes.
Over Christmas, I saw him coherent for only 10 minutes the entire weekend. When he wasn’t half-asleep, he was calling me names, belittling my self-worth and telling me nobody but he would ever love me so I had “better stay.” On Christmas Eve, I was left alone and crying in a dark living room.
When these episodes aren’t happening, he’s attentive and charming. His daughter told me he’s been like this for years. I feel resentful about everything he’s put me through in such a short amount of time, but I’m afraid I will never find someone else after being single and lonely for so long. Can I get your advice on how to view his situation? – INCREDULOUS IN OKLAHOMA
DEAR INCREDULOUS: Greg’s behavior is not normal. Talk to him when he’s conscious. Ask if he remembers what happens to his personality during these extended periods when he’s asleep. Tell him his rants are hurtful and verbally abusive. Ask what he thinks causes these episodes. Could he be having an adverse reaction to a medication or some other substance he’s taking, because the person you’re encountering isn’t the Greg you love.