8 year old temper tantrum

Is there a way to help my 8 year old daughter who has suddenly started having temper tantrums? She was a very polite and well behaved child up until we moved in the Fall. She is screaming and yelling and displaying very disrespectful behavior. I do not recognize her at these times. She whines and cries and falls out as a 2 year old would. This is not the same child of just a year ago. I have looked up the symptoms of bi-polar disorder and she doesn't fit the description but I know that something is wrong. I need to find out what to do to help her. She has such a beautiful spirit and a good heart.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

There is nothing in your description that indicates that the behavior is symptomatic of mood disorder. If the tantrums are simply noise, you can just ignore them. Carry on as if nothing is occurring. Pay them no attention - do not interact with your daughter at all while the tantrums are going on. You can also set limits on the behavior if you wish. The best procedure for this approach is to be found in Lynn Clark's book SOS Help for Parents (sosprograms.com).