I know exactly what you are talking about. It's the same with my son. I think it's just another subconscious form of seeing how far he can go. My son amps it up too and he screams and cries so loud I can hear at the edge of my property (not large) with all the windows and doors shut and he in his room. I often have physical struggles with him where I am getting to him to his room and he fights me. I have held the door closed. I know a woman who's son was so violent she would hold the door closed while he pounded against with all his strength for over an hour. My son is really bad when he hasn't slept well and had nightmares. At that point he gets a nap. I feel like i'm doing such a bad job as a parent when these episodes go on for sooo long. especially since I do struggle with coming off as authoritative.