DEAR ABBY: I am 16 and my sister "Amber" is 13. For the past few months, she has been throwing tantrums whenever things don't go her way or she feels something wrong happens, like an offensive comment someone makes. So my parents and I just leave her alone.
Amber cries, stomps and hits, and because I share a room with her I am very stressed out. I haven't been able to sleep until she wears herself out. Lately, she has been saying she hates life and I am scared she might do something stupid. What should I do? -- OLDER SIS IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
DEAR OLDER SIS: The behavior you have described is not normal for someone Amber's age. And if it's new behavior, it's a reason your parents should not ignore it. If your parents are unable to get Amber to talk to them, they may need the help of a physician or adolescent psychologist to get to the root of what is triggering these episodes. Please don't wait. Clip this item, give it to your parents and tell them you wrote it. I, too, am concerned for your sister.