Good Grief...Tantrums A Mental Disorder?? Really!??

[MN Mom]

Here's my most ridiculous item of the day :

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/could-temper-tantrums-soon-be-considered-a-mental-illness-american-psychiatrists-to-vote-on-major-changes/

[LaLa1923]

Here's my most ridiculous item of the day :

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/coul...major-changes/

Well then I have five kids that have one......lmao::

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I've got less than a handful that throw severe temper tantrums.

I'm more upset about Asperger's being put uner the umbrella term "Autism" now. People already view me as mentally unable to do a lot of things simply because I'm an Aspie. This will only further that. I'll stick with calling myself an Aspie with no further thought to calling myself "a high functioning individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Good grief.

[SilverSabre25]

I've got less than a handful that throw severe temper tantrums.

I'm more upset about Asperger's being put uner the umbrella term "Autism" now. People already view me as mentally unable to do a lot of things simply because I'm an Aspie. This will only further that. I'll stick with calling myself an Aspie with no further thought to calling myself "a high functioning individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Good grief.

I thought Asperger's had always been under the high-functioning end of the autism spectrum? At least that's what I learned at university 3-4 years ago. Heck, they're even thinking of putting ADHD on the spectrum, above Asperger's in functionality.

I feel for you though; it's hard enough classifying myself as ADD and my husband as Aspie without "the uninformed" giving me/us funny looks.

[Bookworm]

Well then I have five kids that have one......lmao::

If that's the case, I have about four and one of them "should be" institutionalize. Lord Jesus in Heaven. Soon, every bad behavior will be a "mental disorder" and no one will be responsible for their behavior.

[BumbleBee]

*zipping up flame suit*

I think an important part of this is the "frequent & severe" as it applies to temper tantrums. It depends on what they consider "frequent" as well as "severe." I think they should also add "duration" to that.

I'm on my phone so I'm not going to make a big post but I don't necessarily believe they are talking about standard tantrums. Additionally, a diagnosis of this may open the door for professionals to implement behavior modification plans and guide parents who are at a loss for what to do.

The biggest issue that I see is seperating the kids who have an actual underlying issue versus the ones who get what they want if they scream long enough.

Just my 2 cents.

[Angelsj]

I've got less than a handful that throw severe temper tantrums.

I'm more upset about Asperger's being put uner the umbrella term "Autism" now. People already view me as mentally unable to do a lot of things simply because I'm an Aspie. This will only further that. I'll stick with calling myself an Aspie with no further thought to calling myself "a high functioning individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Good grief.

I understand what they are doing, but I agree with you. Actually, I would like to see Asperger's completely differentiated from autism. I know they all have co-mingling diagnoses, but I see Aspies as very, very different from the classic autism.

[Angelsj]

I thought Asperger's had always been under the high-functioning end of the autism spectrum? At least that's what I learned at university 3-4 years ago. Heck, they're even thinking of putting ADHD on the spectrum, above Asperger's in functionality.

I feel for you though; it's hard enough classifying myself as ADD and my husband as Aspie without "the uninformed" giving me/us funny looks.

It is for now, but they have been batting this back and forth for a while now. Personally, I think it just gives someone a job. Before Asperger's was known, it was easier to say HFA and make people understand....sort of. Now that it is more well known, I would like to see it get its own attention, separate from the autism research.

[SilverSabre25]

It is for now, but they have been batting this back and forth for a while now. Personally, I think it just gives someone a job. Before Asperger's was known, it was easier to say HFA and make people understand....sort of. Now that it is more well known, I would like to see it get its own attention, separate from the autism research.

This is true; I've actually thought for awhile that there are two categories of Aspie...the ones that are just quirky/almost normal until you get to know them (or have to live with them, or are married to them) and then you know that either THEY are bat**** crazy, or YOU are, or possibly both. And then there are the more severe Aspies that you just know, even without knowing them, that something is "off". They first type are very distinct from the second. I'm married to the first type, and everyone we've told so far about the Asperger's (it's a recent realization) says, "OOohhh, that makes SO MUCH sense!!!"

If I was a researcher, I would research my theory of two types of Asperger's...but I'm not a researcher, sadly.

[SilverSabre25]

*zipping up flame suit*

I think an important part of this is the "frequent & severe" as it applies to temper tantrums. It depends on what they consider "frequent" as well as "severe." I think they should also add "duration" to that.

I'm on my phone so I'm not going to make a big post but I don't necessarily believe they are talking about standard tantrums. Additionally, a diagnosis of this may open the door for professionals to implement behavior modification plans and guide parents who are at a loss for what to do.

The biggest issue that I see is seperating the kids who have an actual underlying issue versus the ones who get what they want if they scream long enough.

Just my 2 cents.

Yes, I definitely agree with you that the underlying distinction is the frequency, severity, and duration. The causes of the tantrums are probably an indicator too, as well as age. No flames necessary, because the 3 year old child that throws a twenty minute fit over not getting candy or a toy at the store is probably just spoiled...but the 3 year old child that screams for twenty minutes or two hours because you put the wrong shirt on and does this five times a week or more might have an underlying issue (sensory issue in this case). Just an example there of course.

And it is important for parents, caregivers, and teachers to examine the causes and "style" (so to speak) of a given child's tantrums and see if there's a pattern there that indicates a problem. A lot of children with sensory issues and subtle mood disorders or disorders such as Asperger's get missed all through childhood because it takes a careful look at the WHOLE child through a lens of "Is there a problem?" not a lens of "Why is he so spoiled?"

[itlw8]

after reading and listening on the news it makes sence. It seems that putting Asbergers under the Autism spectrum will mean in some states those children will get services they need that may have been denied

And the tantrum was severe tantrums 3 or 4 a day 5 days a week for 6 months or more. And a specific age range. It is being done to cut down on the amount of children who are diagnosed as Bi Polar and to instead correct the issue at hand.

[Greenplasticwateringcans]

Yes, I definitely agree with you that the underlying distinction is the frequency, severity, and duration. The causes of the tantrums are probably an indicator too, as well as age. No flames necessary, because the 3 year old child that throws a twenty minute fit over not getting candy or a toy at the store is probably just spoiled...but the 3 year old child that screams for twenty minutes or two hours because you put the wrong shirt on and does this five times a week or more might have an underlying issue (sensory issue in this case). Just an example there of course.

And it is important for parents, caregivers, and teachers to examine the causes and "style" (so to speak) of a given child's tantrums and see if there's a pattern there that indicates a problem. A lot of children with sensory issues and subtle mood disorders or disorders such as Asperger's get missed all through childhood because it takes a careful look at the WHOLE child through a lens of "Is there a problem?" not a lens of "Why is he so spoiled?"

Agree!

I have fought tooth and nail against family, friends, teachers, general public who thought my child was "spoiled" or a "brat". Finally at 9 there is a sensory and Aspergers diagnosis which I am greatful falls under the Autism umbrella so we can get OT without further fuss against people.

[cheerfuldom]

slightly OT but can anyone share with me what Aspergers might look like in an adult male? my BIL is thought to possibly have this but what are the symptoms? he has mostly relationship and social issues but functions well as far as holding a job and whatnot....except when the job and social cues collide in which case, there are occasionally issues.

[Blackcat31]

slightly OT but can anyone share with me what Aspergers might look like in an adult male? my BIL is thought to possibly have this but what are the symptoms? he has mostly relationship and social issues but functions well as far as holding a job and whatnot....except when the job and social cues collide in which case, there are occasionally issues.

http://asperger-symptoms.net/

Lots of info out there about it and NOT all people have all the symptoms but you can read the list and get the general idea.

[SilverSabre25]

slightly OT but can anyone share with me what Aspergers might look like in an adult male? my BIL is thought to possibly have this but what are the symptoms? he has mostly relationship and social issues but functions well as far as holding a job and whatnot....except when the job and social cues collide in which case, there are occasionally issues.

It's different for everyone; for my DH, the key ones are the inability to stop talking about something that interests him even if people CLEARLY don't want to hear about it, the tendency to get obsessed/intensely/passionately interested in things, lack of "getting" social cues (like when people are annoyed by something he's talking about), and a variety of major relationship difficulties that are hard to pinpoint because I sound whiny unless you know him/us hth!