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The Difference Between Meltdown and Tantrum

To outside onlookers, a tantrum and a meltdown can look very similar. But those who know the person well will have an advantage, as they may understand the person’s temperament, internal motivations, and triggers.

One of the most important distinctions to keep in mind between the two is that a meltdown is out of the person’s control, driven by physical shutdown, while a tantrum is, to a certain extent, driven by will. A tantrum is slowed by self-regulation, while a meltdown is beyond the self's ability to regulate. In both cases, the best course of action is to remove the person from the triggering environment or situation and into a safe place where they won’t be seriously injured or further triggered by their surroundings.

By: Sarah and Larry Nannery

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Psychology Today 

May 31, 2021