9 Yr Old Son - Anger Issues

My son is 9 yrs old. Behavior problems started when he was 4.  Mostly defiance.  As he has gotten older, there have been anger outbursts. Screaming, some mild cursing, throwing things and sometimes destruction of items.  (At times, I really think he cannot control these outbursts and I feel sorry for him.)  He usually shows remorse, but not always.  Changes in routine can really set him off.  He likes to stay at home - unless we're going somewhere fun.  (He likes to play outside with other children, but does not have a best-friend.  It seems it's hard for him to be really close to one individual, except for me.) I avoid taking him with me unless it's necessary.

He has been for a full phsycological elvaluation and they found nothing. We were in therapy for 6 mo. last year. I believe it really helped. (Last year he despised his teacher from day 1, the whole year was MISERABLE.) I think she felt the same way.  He was VERY defiant with her.  In the office at least 10 times last year. (3rd grade).  Once the school year was over, things got MUCH better.  Summer was great. After talking with the therapist, the school placed him with teachers more suitable this year.  Both teachers say they cannot believe he was ever sent to the office.  He has not had one problem in school - not one! I am so thankful for that.  On average of about once a week though, he gets these anger outbursts.  You never know what might set him off.  I worry about the teachers he gets next year.  I thought he may be ODD, but the evaluation does not point to that.  I worry that as he gets older that the anger will escalate.  I don't know if he should go back to therapy.  He has improved sooo much.  Is it normal for children his age to get so angry sometimes?

He was recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism.  He weights 85 lbs. and is taking 100 mcg levothyroxine ea day.  Could his behavior problems be related to the thyroid?  I have also heard that thyroid disorders in young children are not that common?  I have it along with my Aunt.  I know it is inherited, but at such a young age?

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

It is true that thyroid problems are not common at this age, but you are providing him with the appropriate treatment. Of course some anger in any child is normal, but it does sound like his eruptions are beyond the normal spectrum. By all means reinstate the therapy. From your description it was helpful, and at the very least can provide you with some guidance re: management of the behavior. No, his thyroid is not the culprit in what you are observing.

[MOORE172]

MY 5YR OLD IS SIMILAR SHE ACTS OUT TERRIBLY IN SCHOOL AND HAS LITTLR RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY,SHE HAS TEMPER TANTRUMS AND HAS RECENTLY GRADUATED TO HITTING ME AND OTHER PEOPLE IF YOU MAKE HER ANGRY ENOUGH. SHE ACTS LIKE SHE DOESN'T WANT TO LISTEN TO ANYBODY SHE DOESN'T DO HER WORK IN SCHOOL,SHE SEEMS LIKE SHE IS EAGER TO LEARN, BUT SHE DOESN'T WANT TO TAKE THE TIME TO LEARN AND SHE JUST HATES FOR ME TO TRY TO TEACH HER THINGS, I'M FEELING AFRAID FOR HER FUTURE. WE HAVE BEEN TO COUNSELORS BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO TELL ME ANYTHING. WHEN I AKS FOR EITHER A REAL PSCHOLOGIST OR A PHSIATRIC EVAL THEY SAY SHE IS TOO YOUNG, BUT I DON'T WANT TO WAIT TILL IT'S TOO LATE EITHER. BGEING A SINGLE PARENT IT'S VERY HARD TO FIND DOCTORS WHO WANT TO HELP INSTEAD OF DOPE YOUR KIDS UP WITH RIDALIN(WHICH WAS A SUGESTION FROMA DOCTOR)I'VE SEEN KIDS ON RIDALIN AND IT'S NOT PRETTY, IF THEY HAD SOMETHING THAT WASN'T GOING TO TURN MY BABY INTO A ZOMBIE I WOULD POSSIBLY RECONSIDER MEDS,BUT ONCE AGAIN IT'S NOT EASY.