Not all narcissists are grandiose – the ‘vulnerable’ type can be just as dangerous

The introverted narcissist is harder to spot and may be more sinister

How Islam conquered my mother’s fear of cats

She’d always found them evil and scary, but when I wanted a cat in lockdown I appealed to my mum’s faith

‘Be interested, be curious, hear what’s not said’: how I learned to really listen to people

Being a good listener isn’t just about shutting up and not interrupting – it’s about really taking in what someone is telling you

A new start after 60: ‘I was sick, tired and had lost myself – until I began lifting weights at 71’

Joan Macdonald faced growing health problems before she began lifting weights, shattering preconceptions about what’s possible in your eighth decade

Doggy dependency: how to break post-lockdown separation anxiety

Lockdown has been hard for all of us – even our pets. Now my dog wants my undivided attention

How ‘acne positivity’ is helping teens – and soothing the scars of a lifetime

Teenage spots can ravage not just skin but mental health, too. Martin Love considers the lasting issues that can still be triggered years later

Unlocking the ‘gut microbiome’ – and its massive significance to our health

Scientists are only just discovering the enormous impact of our gut health. Rebecca Seal reveals how it could hold the key to everything from tackling obesity to overcoming anxiety and boosting immunity

Why I’m glad that I’m an ‘overthinker’

Examining every aspect of a question can be exhausting, but the most amazing insights can be gained that way, writes Annalisa Barbieri

How I realised my family of two was perfect for me

Families come in all different sizes – the secret is realising that yours may be even better than the one you longed for

Drinking straw device is instant cure for hiccups, say scientists

Sipping water through an L-shaped ‘suction and swallow tool’ cured 92% of attacks, according to study