14 DAY TRIAL // Real-time brain scans reveal how daughters of depressed mothers are able to reduce their own stress levels through positive thinking. As soon as they stop fixating on negative thoughts, their brain activity starts indicating a return to normal.
This research was carried out on young girls aged 10 to 14. Experts selected this test group because girls whose mothers are depressed, or were depressed at one point, have a higher chance than their peers to suffer from depression as well, PsychCentral reports.
What the new study highlights is a method of preparing them for this scenario, by equipping them with a method to address negative thoughts as soon as they occur. Even the girls involved in the study were amazed at the immediate reaction they saw in their brain scans.
The study team, at the Stanford University, then put the girls through a stressful test, and noticed that the test subjects experienced far less stress than they normally would have.