Yes, it can be pretty difficult, as some attacks last for two or three days, and then almost nothing really helps. Pills, darkness, avoiding smells and noise, some kind of self-help, and sleeping. Repeat until it gets better. I do try to stay positive, I learned to live with it, and when one of these days passes it is like a new start but then full of energy :D until the next episode hahaha.
How does your wife cope with them?