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Original poster

Severe "on steroids" meltdowns in toddlers

8 replies

KindofKat · 31/08/2023 14:01

Hi mums,
This is my first post, so I'm not sure I'm writing in the right place, but I'm pretty desperate.
Has anyone experienced severe meltdowns after their child turn 2 years old? I'm talking about screaming, shaking, turning purple, drooling all over and unable to stop for hours, several times per day. These are not regular tantrums and doctors say it has to do with development and speech delay. I need to hear they will be over someday...I can barely stand anymore...It's being going on for 5 months now and my son will turn 3 soon.

Thanks,

OP posts:
SleepingStandingUp · 31/08/2023 14:04

You need a second opinions. "Tantrums" shouldn't be going on for hours at a time.

Is there a trigger? So is it typical tantrum territory?

If you look into his eyes does he look present?

Have you filmed them to show the doc?

minipie · 31/08/2023 14:05

Shaking, turning purple and drooling sound more like a medical event than a tantrum. I agree with pp’s suggestion to film and show a doctor.

Gowlett · 31/08/2023 14:11

My little guy had one or two episodes where he went into what I called a tantrum trance. When he was in this mode nothing could get through to him. He wasn’t himself. It was such a relief when he snapped back out of it. I would be very worried if it happened on a regular basis, though. And stressed out, too…

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ethelredonagoodday · 31/08/2023 14:11

I think it depends on if they really are going on for hours each time?

Our DD who's now a teenager, and a very polite, conscientious, lovely girl really, was an absolute horror as a toddler. First time she had a tantrum we phoned the out of hours GP as we thought there was something seriously wrong with her. And like your child, after that first one had happened, she could be like this several times a day, with each tantrum lasting over an hour. It was very, very hard work. It got to the point where we knew to just make sure she was safe, and couldn't hurt herself, but then leave her to let it burn itself out, as any intervention just worsened the tantrum! But by the time she got to about 4 she started to grow out of it.
But at the time it was pretty bad. She had almost legendary status with our friends and family, she was so unmanageable.

When I tell people now how she was, the usually cannot believe it, as she's really generally very calm and an all round goody two shoes! 🤣

ethelredonagoodday · 31/08/2023 14:13

But as others have said, if you're genuinely concerned there's more to it, keep going to the GP!

ethelredonagoodday · 31/08/2023 14:14

And obv if there's developmental delay involved, you should be getting support for that? Sorry for all the posts!

Original poster
KindofKat · 31/08/2023 14:30

Thanks all for your replies.
Yes, we've seen the GP, Paediatrician and support groups. They think he might be autistic, although it's not for sure, not that many traits present. Waiting times for the appointments such as ASD assessment and Speech Therapy are many months and even years (talking about London).

But like ethelredonagoodday said, the more I try to calm him down, the worse it gets. Not sure if he's aware or present, the triggers can be anything and everything.
Recently he's been asking me for a specific thing and when I give it to him, he will reject it and then ask again and so on for one hour, screaming.

I'm just so burned out and concerned and there's nothing I can do to help him.

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