From my experience, they can last 24 hours to about 5 days. Depends if they have a job to go to, commitments, pressures, addictions to narcotics or booze etc.

When we broke up the first time, there was a period where BB would not talk to me at all and we were sleeping in the same bed. -- but he was mad with me during that time and insisted I'd triggered something. Then it got so emotionally chaotic that the whole situation was burnt down.

We're only back together due to his decision to "get our shit together and choose life, and to not hide from himself so he could blame it on everyone else." It takes two for any relationship. You work together. One is not a puppet nor the other a puppeteer. Be careful you are not trying to save him, from something you can't possibly understand.

Be careful that you are not pitying him and want to help on compassionate grounds. Even though I need to be strong, BB is also very strong and it's important for him to feel that may, that he could survive with or without me is important for both of us.

I guess the big thing to understand is that you can't do, or say anything that will make them snap out of it. And if they want you around, they will make a sign.