Humans seem to experience pain, whether acute or persistent, in a unique way. As a species, we have evolved from having very simple damage-sensing mechanisms to develop early warning systems.

Many new mothers suffer from extreme tiredness even four months after giving birth, prompting experts to warn they should not hurry back to work.

Fears about air travel are common and entirely understandable. Human beings have not evolved to fly, writes psychologist Peter Kinderman.

The brains of premature babies can perform almost as well as those born at full-term by the time they're teenagers, depending on the environment the child grows up in, an Australian study shows.

Over the last half century, the global food industry has profoundly changed the way we eat. While we understand how these dietary changes have impacted physical health, their effect on mental well-being is only now being realised.

Women who use pain relief during childbirth may have a lower risk of depression after their babies are born, a leading psychiatrist has said.

Watching Alex McKinnon battle a devastating back injury contributed to Darius Boyd's battle with depression, Wayne Bennett says.

Gardens in care homes could be crucial in helping to stimulate memories for dementia sufferers, scientists have found.

As a clinical and forensic psychologist, I assess and treat sex offenders, ultimately to minimise the risk of reoffending and help keep the community safe.

New Zealand has been described as a "lifestyle superpower", joining Australia as the envy of the western world, a political author says.

A recent study suggests that the positive impact of exercise on your personal life may extend to how well you function at work.

Chronic stress from poverty, neglect and physical abuse in early life may shrink the parts of a child's developing brain.

Kiwi families reveal their stories of living life with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Questions have been raised as to how a woman who threatened to harm her neighbour before later killing her was not formally admitted to a mental health facility earlier.

Having too much sleep in middle age could be as bad as not getting enough, British researchers say.

An American man who was paralysed in a swimming accident has become the first patient to move his hand using the power of thought after doctors inserted a microchip into his brain.

Genes associated with schizophrenia may also make people more likely to use cannabis, a new study has shown.

Burnout is an extremely overused word. It's not uncommon for people who feel they're a bit stressed to use that word to exaggerate what they're feeling.

We all worry about our health from time to time, at least to some degree, but some people worry excessively about catastrophic consequences of seemingly benign symptoms.

People do odd - inexplicable, even - things with their money. Sometimes it's because of mental health problems - diagnosed or otherwise, writes Diana Clement.

Stroke victims could make a quicker journey on the road to recovery if they take up a musical instrument, researchers claim.

Gambling products are only harmful when people consume too much of them. Gambling is like alcohol: occasional use is generally safe, this expert explains.

An ageing population has contributed to the rise in the number of disabled people in New Zealand, which last year rose to over one million - almost a quarter of the population.