Definition: Abnormal psychology is a segment of psychology that deals with psychopathology and abnormal behavior. The term covers a broad range of disorders, from depression to obsession-compulsion to sexual deviation and many more. Counselors, clinical psychologists and psychotherapists often work directly in this field. Read more about abnormal psychology.

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We often think of a crisis as a sudden unexpected catastrophe, such as a car accident, natural disaster, or other cataclysmic event. In mental health terms, a crisis refers not necessarily to a traumatic situation or event, but to a person's reaction to this event. A crisis can result from a sudden upheaval, such as unemployment, divorce or the death of a loved one and reactions to these events can vary widely from person to person.

Reactions to a crisis can vary widely, with some showing few ill effects while others experiences symptoms including anger, flashbacks and social withdrawal. Research has shown that crisis counseling can be extremely beneficial to those experiencing a crisis event, but according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), these individuals "...do not see themselves as needing mental health services and are unlikely to request them."

• What Is a Crisis?
• Common Reactions to a Crisis
• Elements of Crisis Counseling

When was the last time you found yourself drifting off in the middle of a long class lecture or meeting? According to the National Sleep Foundation's 2008 "Sleep in America" poll, 29% of participants reported becoming very sleepy or even falling asleep at work in the previous month alone.

Sleep can affect learning, stress, weight and much more.

"Nearly 50 million Americans chronically suffer from sleep problems and disorders that affect their careers, their personal relationships and safety on our roads," explains Darrel Drobnich of the National Sleep Foundation in a press release. Unfortunately, getting a good night's sleep is not a priority for many of these individuals. The foundation's reports also found that approximately 63% of respondents simply accept sleep deprivation as a part of their life, while 32% turn to caffeinated drinks to combat their daytime sleepiness.

"Similar to diet and exercise, sleep needs to be an integral element of a healthy lifestyle. The impact of not getting good sleep is far reaching and has Americans compromising their productivity, safety, health and relationships - both on the job and at home," Drobnich suggests. Recent research has linked lack of sleep to a wide range of ailments, including memory problems and obesity. Learn more about some of the top reasons why you should get a good night's sleep.

Of course, knowing why you need to sleep isn't enough to solve the problem. If you struggle with sleep, there are a number of tips you can follow to improve both the amount and quality of sleep you get each night. About.com's Guide to Sleep Disorders, Brandon Peters, has some great tips on how to get a better night's sleep.

Related Reading:

• Stages of Sleep
• Theories of Sleep
• Sleep Disorders

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Most types of writing in psychology require the inclusion of a title page. The title page is the first page that your instructor and other readers will see, so it is important this page is properly formatted, includes all the necessary information, and offers a clear representation of the topic of your paper.

Find more information in this article about writing a title page in APA format.

Learn how to write a title page in APA format.
Image © Andrew Cahill

Learn more about some of the basic rules of APA format and check out a few examples:

• Title Page in APA Format
• Reference Page in APA Format
• Tables in APA Format

Psychology students should also consider picking up a copy of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association or another book such as the Concise Rules of APA Style.