I feel your pain, my ds is now 5 so its been a long time since we went through this but your post brought it all back! Do you have a routine at bedtime?
We started one at 4 months: bath, into bedroom, change into pyjamas, a few stories, a feed, lights out, soft music playing and then into bed. I used to wait til he was almost asleep before I put him in the cot. I was told at the time to put him in bed properly awake so he could self settle but he wouldn't do it and like your son would make himself hysterical. I found it easier to do it my way, as it took less time and he went to bed much happier.
Other more experienced people (I only have one ds) will probably come on and give different advice but I would say do what you need to do for now to make it as easy as possible, eg I used to rock him in my arms or sit in a chair and cuddle him til he was almost asleep before putting him in the cot. After a while, I was then able to place him in the cot and just rub his back, then a bit later I was able to just stand by the cot, then I sat in the chair, then I stood by the door, then outside the door! It took a while but he wasn't screaming and he stopped fighting bedtime.
I think the trick for us was once he had gone in the bedroom, he didn't come out of it again. It took time but he soon got used to it. If you bring him out of the room, ie to take him for a walk, then he will perk up again, and the cold air outside will certainly revive him!
I hope it gets better for you, like I said my ds is now 5 and since he was about 2 most nights he asks to go to bed.