Rages vs. Tantrums

WHO doesn't love my Ambien induced posts? If you don't, go away now. Run! Otherwise here goes:

Chase finally made it through a day without any major issues. The teacher was encouraged since we had raised the Abilify that maybe its making a difference.

But on the way home on the bus, the bus aide tried to direct Chase not to open an envelope addressed to me and he totally lost it. He started throwing a temper tantrum on the bus on the freeway. He hit and kicked the aide and said a lot of bad things to her. I could tell she was upset. And who wouldn't be? Thank goodness they didn't suspend him from the bus.

I know you might wonder what the difference is between a temper tantrum and a rage. Its something important to know when you are around Chase. If he's raging, he's dangerous. If he's tantruming then he's just throwing a fit to get what he wants. The rages are his bipolar and the tantrums are partially ADHD and partially being a 7yr old boy.

Temper Tantrum
-Wants something and is told no or to stop
-Screaming
-Hitting
-Kicking
-Whining
-able to contain him without too much of a struggle
-Short time period, about 10 minutes.
-Very coherent and aware of his surroundings
-Is capable of being soothed
-Typical of most 7 year old tantrums

Rage
-Triggered by something very small
-Can last for hours
-Agressively attacking himself, others and any property
-Nearly impossible to restrain
-Superhuman strength (like someone on PCP)
-Cannot hear what you say to him
-Is not responsive to any outside stimulus (me talking, doorbells ringing, etc)
-Doesn't remember the rage itself but can remember only the first few seconds.
-Followed by exhaustion and usually falls asleep on the floor.

Ok I'm done writing my book now. Ha Ha Ha.