Is this part of 'terrible twos' or something else?

I have a very independent two year old who we often joke is 'full of tiny rage'. We're currently working with parents as teachers once a week in house to help us deal with some of the behavioral issues we've been having (hitting and kicking mommy, throwing toys, being strong willed and stubborn in general). He's incredibly smart, but still doesn't talk, so we think some of this 'rage' is from his inability to communicate his wants. We've started using signing. He picked up 'more' very quickly, now if I could just fine a sign for 'calm-the-fuck-down-before-mommy-has-a-breakdown'.Aside from all of that is a new problem. Every night for the past two weeks he will wake up just before midnight screaming. I go in, try to comfort him by rubbing his back, and generally he'll cuddle up to me. Last time I was greeted with a slap to the face. Alrighty then. I assume it's night terrors so I try not to take it to heart.It would be all fine and well if he went back to sleep and this was just a once a night thing but instead it's like having a newborn. He wakes every couple hours, if not once an hour. He'll cry or scream for 10 minutes and then fall back asleep. I tried a weighted blanket, turning off the fan in his room, giving him more to eat before bed, anything i could think of. I've even tried, out of desperation, just letting him cry it out. Nothing has worked.Reddit. I am desperate. I am 27 and I'm pretty sure I have a stress-induced stomach ulcer. I'm fucking exhausted constantly and feel like the worst parent in the world because my child is so frustrated and is taking out on everyone around him. I need a break. I need sleep. I miss when my baby was sweet. via /r/Parenting http://ift.tt/2uoqKSg