Insomnia and Idiopathic Hypersomnia in Clinical Cases of Repetitive Negative Thinking

Repetitive negative thinking (RNT) is excessive and repetitive thinking about future worry or concern and rumination on past experiences that are difficult to eradicate. Studies have linked cognitive intrusions such as RNTs to sleep problems like insomnia; however, not much is known about the link with idiopathic hypersomnia. Insomnia is a sleep disorder that makes it difficult for the sufferer to fall asleep or remain asleep, while idiopathic hypersomnia refers to a disorder that causes the sufferer to become excessively sleepy and or have difficulties in waking up from sleep, such as prolonged sleep. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of repetitive negative thinking (RNT) in insomnia and idiopathic hypersomnia in clinical cases of RNT. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used in this qualitative case study involving clinical participants (n = 5 cases, all females, age = 35 and above) with anxiety disorders, depression, and an addictive behaviour. Results showed that Insomnia and Idiopathic Hypersomnia were linked with RNT. RNT had a physiological impact on insomnia and idiopathic hypersomnia through its association with fatigue and severe migraines. This study suggests that idiopathic hypersomnia may be linked to RNT, though more research is needed in this area.