Does your child have temper tantrums more often
when he or she is around particular people?
How often does your
child have tantrums?
Where do your child's tantrums usually occur?
Do they ever occur at school?
What is your child's behavior like
during a temper tantrum? How intense is his or her behavior during the
How long does your child's tantrum last?
do you do during your child's tantrum? How do you feel when your child is
having a temper tantrum?
Do you give in to or punish your child
after a tantrum?
How do your child's temper tantrums affect the
These and similar questions can help your doctor get a
clearer picture of your child's motivations and behavior. Also, general
patterns may emerge, such as triggers of temper tantrums and whether parent or
caregiver reactions are negatively or positively reinforcing the behavior. This
information can help a doctor learn what your family dynamics are and
how to best advise you on how to manage your child's difficult behavior.
If temper tantrums frequently last longer than 15 minutes or occur
more than 3 times a day, your doctor may recommend further
exams or tests for any behavioral, emotional, or health
In this article
This information is produced and provided by the National
Institute (NCI). The information in this topic may have changed since it was written. For the most current information, contact the National
Institute via the Internet web site at http://
.gov or call 1-800-4-CANCER.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
March 20, 2012
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor.
Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this