Am I Too Optimistic

[Think About It...]

My BPDw and I have been in a crisis for about 5 months now.  In the last 5 months she has not taken care of our 2 kids at all, she has been in the hospital 3 times, and she is now in her fourth intensive treatment program.  There's a bunch of other ups and downs, but that's the short of it.

Right now though, things seem to be completely different.  She seems completely committed to her treatment, even taking medicine.  This current program is focused on her trauma issues and includes DBT.  She has BPD and PTSD, but these haven't been triggered nearly as much in the last two weeks, meaning she is spending a lot more time with us.  She's even started some kind of journal at night, and I'm not sure what she's writing, but about every other night she ends up apologizing to me for something she did that day, which is REALLY weird for her. 

Things seem great!  Yet, only about 2 weeks ago my brother threatened to call the police after my wife flew into a rage while we were visiting his house.  Also, throughout the last 5 months we have had a couple of these relapses, and both of them ended up in a visit to the hospital. 

So I guess my question is this.  Is this just a short term reprieve, or are we finally over the hump and we're moving back toward some kind of normal existence?  I want to hope that these changes are permanent, but I'm worried that they are not.

[Rilian]

My BPDw and I have been in a crisis for about 5 months now.  In the last 5 months she has not taken care of our 2 kids at all, she has been in the hospital 3 times, and she is now in her fourth intensive treatment program.  There's a bunch of other ups and downs, but that's the short of it.

Right now though, things seem to be completely different.  She seems completely committed to her treatment, even taking medicine.  This current program is focused on her trauma issues and includes DBT.  She has BPD and PTSD, but these haven't been triggered nearly as much in the last two weeks, meaning she is spending a lot more time with us.  She's even started some kind of journal at night, and I'm not sure what she's writing, but about every other night she ends up apologizing to me for something she did that day, which is REALLY weird for her. 

Things seem great!  Yet, only about 2 weeks ago my brother threatened to call the police after my wife flew into a rage while we were visiting his house.  Also, throughout the last 5 months we have had a couple of these relapses, and both of them ended up in a visit to the hospital. 

So I guess my question is this.  Is this just a short term reprieve, or are we finally over the hump and we're moving back toward some kind of normal existence?  I want to hope that these changes are permanent, but I'm worried that they are not.

[BelievenHope]

In my experience, it is best to be CAUTIOUSLY optimistic. Usually a few steps forward are also followed by a step backward. Everything that is going on; the dbt, the meds, the journal for perspective are all awesome...we all hope for all those things...but we also know they have a very serious disorder so a little backwards motion does usually happen.
I'm so glad things are going well for you right now...a ray of sunshine is good for us all

[Rilian]

Thanks Believe, that's good perspective.  The last 2 weeks have been very encouraging, and I think I'm just hoping that we are past the worst of it.  I have thought that before though and have been surprised (and angered) by the sudden change. 

Cautiously Optimistic