How can I get my son to stop the tantrums?

I have a 5 year boy. He is really a good child, but has anger problems. He throws these tantrums and I can't get him calmed down once he has started. Little things seem to trigger it and I am worried this may pose a problem later in life. What can I do to ease him when he is so enraged?

Take him to his doctor, tell him about his little tantrums, and they will put him on riddlen, or something. He sounds as if he has ADHD. My brother had it when he was younger, and my mom got him on riddlen. It's either that or he's bi-polar, have his doctor check him out,

I have taken him to a child psychologist and the doctor seems to think setting a pattern of time out will help him adjust his moods. I feel him might have a form of autisim and the doctor just basically laughed at me and told me it was basic child behavior and I shouldn't worry about it. Smacking a child doesn't solve anything, but showing them you have anger issues yourself. I don't believe in smacking, hitting, etc. I don't think it is ADHD because he doesn't act this way at school.

DON'T give him an audience when he's throwing a tantrum!! They quickly realize that it's no fun screaming and throwing themselves around if there's no one there to watch. Quietly and quickly step OVER the child if they are on the floor....(not AROUND) the child.....and go about your business. If they follow you.....change the business you are doing even if you have to fake it. It will lose the charm of the tantrum if the child understands it's not bothering you in the least. If in a public place....immediately remove the child NO MATTER WHAT you are doing....(I've left full grocery baskets) and bring the child outside until the child is ready to regain composure. This has worked with all 3 of my children. They've each had public tantrums and private ones only a few times. This works!!!

Dear unhappypurging,
Children have tantrums because they are frustrated and cannot communicate what they want. Sometimes we give in to our children just to make them stop having a tantrum...they learn that they can get their own way and you are rewarding them for bad behaviours. So you do the switch; you reward him for good behaviours. Every time he does something good praise him and give him a hug. When he does something you don't approve of like getting angry you must tell him this is not appropriate behaviour and walk away. Make sure you tell him 'this is not appropriate behaviour' before you walk away. This is important for they need to know why you are walking away. Modeling good anger management yourself is very important. Showing your child good coping skills will really help.
Sue....good luck

just ignore the child when he or she chooses to behave this way. be consistent always and you will not regret it.