first time tantrums at the age of six

My son will be 7 in a month. He has always been very kind ,loving, gentle and easy going. I come from a large extended family and he has always been the center of everyones' love and attention.
Exacty, a year ago he started having a phobia of elevators which got resolved after a couple of month,but he never had any trantrums.He did have anxiety though.
About three weeks  ago, he started avoiding places with bees around. I do not know if it is related or not, he has since started having terrible tantrums which go on for a while. He has also started using bad words and throwing stuff around which he has NEVER done before. This usually happens when he does not get his way,he first gets really mad
and then the tantrum starts.  He becomes very remorseful afterwards and becomes an angel again till the next round.My husband and I getting really concerned. Any suggestions?

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

The behavior is within the normal spectrum and is not a cause for alarm. Manage it according to the guidelines detailed in Lynn Clark's book SOS Help for Parents and things will be fine. Don't push him to be in the presence of bees - be patient and understanding about that.