Red Flags to Watch

Most tantrums are normal development. But a few specific signs are different in kind, not just degree, and deserve prompt attention.

Seek professional guidance if tantrums:

• Include self-harm, such as head-banging or biting themselves
• Include breath-holding until the child passes out
• Come alongside a loss of skills the child already had, like speech or toileting

When you call, it helps to bring notes. Jot down when these episodes happen, how long they last, and what surrounds them. That record gives the clinician a clearer picture than memory alone.