Caterwauling is the act of having a meltdown or a temper tantrum, mainly by
way of crying, screeching, blubbering, frenzied hysterics, screaming, complaining, mewling, fulminating, whimpering, whining, whinging, shrieking, having paroxysms of
rage, having a conniption
fit or otherwise making a public nuisance of oneself. The goal is to receive as much attention as possible, by behaving in the most irritating, noisome and noxious
way imaginable.