I had a boss like this. I just found her absolutely ridiculous. We used to play a game where we'd bet how may times she'd lose it in a day. Everyone bet a dollar for the day with their guess. At the end of the day, the winner got the pot. I won 40 bucks on week.

Anyway...

I would TOTALLY ignore her whenever I could. Don't play mediator to her outbursts with others. If she goes off on you, kill her with kindness. She's flying off the handle just to get people to pay attention to her. Think if each incident as a temper tantrum. Only children have tantrums. And how do you deal with a child who is having a tantrum? You stand your ground and ignore them. She's acting like a child, I'd treat her like one. Don't let this toxic person ruin your day. She's obviously an insecure control freak: she needs professional help, if you know what I mean. And in the meantime, figure out a way to make some money and have some fun off of it, like we did.

Stand up and say something for yourself. By keeping a stern and polite voice, let her know that you do not appreciate her outbursts as they are ineffective and unprofessional.

She can't fire you for that and standing up to her will give you bonus brownise points with your peers.

That won't work... she can fire you, and someone that insecure and with control issues that deep seeded WILL fire someone that she considers a "threat". More than likely she is easily intimidated, and deeply insecure, which is why she makes a big deal out of small issues. She is doing that because she wants to essentially make you seem "less" of a worker than her.

Best thing you can do.... start looking for another job. It will only get worse. People in my department at my old job were getting valium prescriptions to help deal with the stress. Stress like that is draining and unhealthy!!! So, save up some money, quit your job and find something else before the position either drives you crazy, makes you depressed because of all the stress, or you get fired because she flies off on a tangent one day, and your reference and work history is compromised. I HAVE BEEN IN THIS SITUATION, and IT IS SOOOOOOOO NOT WORTH IT!!!!!

Besides, you will be soooo much happier someplace else!

I know that kind of person and it's really hard to be around them, let alone live with them (her poor kids/husband). Here's what you can do:
-when she criticizes you, talk to her about HERSELF, in a positive way. (Tell her something like she's right.) I know it's hard, because it's unfair, but if you argue with her or start explaining your point of view or how you're right and she isn't, you're only adding fuel to the fire. Try this: touch her on the shoulder (which is a socially accepted zone to be touched by strangers), stay calm and tell her she's right and that you'll make sure the problem gets solved.
-if she's being hostile toward you (she turns her back on you while you're talking to her or you're asking her something and she pretends not to hear you), tell her you've got stuff to do and just walk away. Her behaviour means that she is disgusted by/afraid of people's presence, she doesn't know how to solve a problem with people. Just go back to her office later and try again when she's calmed down.
-when talking to her, only make lateral gestures. (Don't point your finger towards her or make gestures in her direction)
Don't do these:
-don't flatter her or compliment her excessively.
-don't invade her privacy, never touch the hand or the hair of this kind of person, because she'll feel invaded and she'll eventually attack you back, for instance verbally (even if she doesn't do it there on the spot, she'll yell at you or criticize you later).
-don't EXPLAIN your point of view to her. Logical explanation doesn't help. Your words need to convey a positive emotional message for her, otherwise she loses it.

She is a paranoid, emotionally insecure person, she's always ready to confront people and all the time she finds something that she thinks is against her. She has a paranoid-histrionic personality, she thinks she's the center of the universe. Even when she's in good mood, all she talks about is herself (about HER weekend, HER family etc.) This person seriously should practice some sports, play cards with people or something similar, to get to know herself in concrete situations and learn how to (symbolically) confront people and deal with them in real social situations. You and your coworkers might consider eg. inviting her to join you on your lunch break or to play tennis in the weekend (if your office is provided with such equipment). If nothing helps, you might want to consider finding another job. And for the sake of your mental and emotional health, in your free time relax, have fun and try not to think about work. Good luck!

All of these solutions are how to manage her, and that's great. But maybe she shouldn't have everyone jumping around her trying to pacify her.

What I would do is quit. And I would tell her and HR that she is the only reason you are leaving. I wouldn't enable that kind of behavior if at all possible.

for a while i had a boss like this and it turns out he was a diabetic that didn't control his bloodsugar . we never knew what kind of mood he would be in and one day we found him passed out under his desk. i got a different job.

Are you able to go to her boss, as a group, and voice your concerns? I once had an incompetent boss, and that's what we did, as a team - went to his boss, and well, let's just say [after many discussions and much documentation] that three months later, our boss resigned. And that's just the short version.

I had a boss like this- she was totally bi polar.
My only advice is to stay on her good side and if there's a way you can let HR know about it and possibly be moved to another area, do it!

I know how you feel....I agree with the people that say be polite and maybe go to HR in a professional manner. DO NOT confront the supervisor about her own behaivor and don't argue. She could fire you for insubordination.