text: Hey I can relate.  I worked for a whacko of a boss for 8 long years and she made me feel very nervous because she took great pleasure in bringing people down one at a time... but then she would be nice to them the next week and then wham!!! She would take you out at your knees...well, in 8 years she never changed... so that is probably the way your boss will be until you leave or your boss does.  \nStrategies- no eye contact unless you have to speak to her.\nDO NOT go out of your way to be extra friendly as this is percieved as a weakness in their eyes.  ( You think you are safer when you are friendly but you are not)  Do your job well so you don't give her the opportunity to ream you out.  I tried to kill my boss with kindness and things got worse... I stopped and she started to be nicer to me.  Go figure?  \nShe was nasty with many of the staff at my work and we grouped together and supported each other making us stronger as a group.  HR was called many times but nothing ever became of it.  Keep your chin up and don't be afraid of her behavior.  I know it is easier said then done... but if you stop caring what she is bitchy about then you will find your sanity will return slowly.\nTime to tune her problems out and do your job to the best of your abilities. If not there are many other jobs out there...you will have to go hunting.