Temper
Tantrums: Could Toddler Temper Tantrums Be a Sign of ADHD?
Temper
tantrums in children are some of the most unpleasant experiences
a parent will ever experience. The yelling, kicking, and
breath holding are enough to make you want to give up parenting
altogether, but obviously parents are not allowed to quit
their jobs. Without understanding why toddlers and children
have temper tantrums, it’s difficult to cope during
the heat of the moment. More importantly, temper tantrums
could also be a symptom of a more serious disorder such
as ADD/ADHD or autism.
Before
the next temper tantrum begins, it will probably help you
to know more about why your toddler or child may be having
temper tantrums and what the best responses to a temper
tantrum are. Basically, temper tantrums are your child’s
way of expressing anger. Since children and toddlers do
not have the same control over their behavior as adults
do, their young emotions may get the best of them for a
few minutes. The physical and verbal outburst of temper
tantrums will usually not last more than about 2 minutes,
with the worst of the tantrum occurring at the onset.
Believe
it or not, there is an adult version of temper tantrums,
too, but adults are much better equipped to handle them.
Instead of kicking and screaming, an adult might slam a
door, throw something down, or use profanity. It’s
the same theory as toddler and childhood temper tantrums:
a way to vent frustration and anger, often when an individual
is tired or hungry.
Temper
tantrums are both common and normal, even in children with
good temperaments. It is estimated that 80 percent of children
from 1 to 4 years old experience temper tantrums. The most
effective way to cope with temper tantrums is to either
ignore the behavior or teach the child more appropriate
ways to handle anger and frustration. Another alternative
is to watch for triggers of your child’s temper tantrums,
which may help you stop them before they begin.
In
some cases, frequent temper tantrums—especially in
older children—may be a sign of serious mental disorders
or learning disabilities. If you are concerned that your
child’s temper tantrums are an indicator of ADD/ADHD,
an anxiety disorder, autism, or other condition, seek professional
advice as soon as possible.
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