Psychology

Fifty years ago, a teenaged heiress with a famous last name was kidnapped from her California apartment by armed terrorists. What followed was one of the most confounding crimes in American history.  

Psychologists say people with high psychopathic tendencies are able to explore their "true self" when they're not identifiable. 

There's a strong connection between living with an eating disorder and having the perfectionism trait. As the negative impacts of that link rise, these experts are calling for better understanding.

The change has forced some Australians to make difficult decisions in order to afford mental health care.

Darwin-based trauma counsellor Peter Bourke has seen how ice baths, or cold-water exposure, can have positive impacts on his clients. He said the act of bringing the mind, breath and body back under control is beneficial for people who struggle with maintaining control over addiction.

Gypsy Rose Blanchard was released from a Missouri prison on Thursday after being jailed for secondary-degree murder over the killing of her abusive mother. 

A Queensland adventurer is on a mission to get children off their screens and into the bush — and a child psychologist says the health benefits are huge.

It may not be enough simply to be physically away from work, particularly in an era when so many of us work from home. We also have to stop thinking about work when we're not there, writes Jane Gifkins.

Every year in December, countless new festive films flood streaming services — but they're not always quality. What is it about "bad" Christmas movies that viewers love?

Social media "skinfluencers" selling the promise of dewy skin are driving tween and teenage interest in expensive skincare products, but experts warn pursuing the kind of perfection seen online can have long-lasting consequences.

A group of Ukrainian mental health doctors are touring facilities across NSW to learn how to improve their country's mental healthcare and boost morale.

Kev Mauger suffered horrific head trauma and injuries after being catapulted over his motorcycle handlebars four years ago. Despite being told he would never play guitar again, his love for music has been key in his recovery.

To finish the year feeling good, try putting these techniques into practice and prepare for a restful break, write Sophie Scott and Gordon Parker.

When more than 1,000 teenagers engaged in eight weeks of dialectical behaviour therapy, their mental health did not improve, research shows.

Vivian Li didn't realise she had ADHD until she was an adult — but that's a common experience for many people in China. 

An Aboriginal woman's fight for financial freedom has revealed what experts say is a deeper problem of "culturally biased" cognitive exams, as part of the NT's Public Guardian and Trustee system.

A child says please and thank you at a friend's house but is rude with their family. They follow the rules if they visit a neighbour but have to be constantly reminded about appropriate behaviour at home. Why? And is there anything you can do about it?

A psychology student says there is a logjam of candidates trying to finish their studies while forced to wait years for placements that are crucial to gaining their qualifications.

When he's not pondering the depths of the human mind, Michael Thai is coming up with psychology-themed song parodies for his students at the University of Queensland.

Susannah is one of the thousands of young Australians who have struggled to see a school psychologist. And as the load gets heavier, experts say too much is being expected of teachers who are trying to respond to complex mental health challenges.

There are calls for an increase in the number of psychologists in schools after the new ABS data showed nearly 40 per cent of Australians aged 16 to 24 suffer from mental disorder.

James Alison knows what it's like to be a scapegoat. He's devoted his life to understanding why we do it. 

As the sun rises on a chilly Wollongong morning, a group of about 20 people gather for the Waves of Wellness program, each with their own unique story to tell.

In some parts of regional Australia, old-school matchmakers are seeing an increase in clients searching for the one.   

For more than two decades, Penny kept up a facade of being fine — but she often felt like she was "going insane".