Missed train stop - Overwhelmed with life- decline in cognitive ability?

[mechanicalpencil]

I have been stuck on a freezing cold platform having missed my stop on a train which means I will get home 2 hours later than planned . Similar happened this morning. I got the train but part of it detached and I was in the wrong part. There I was again waiting on a platform to get back to where I started.

No proper excuse for this evening. ..i didn’t fall asleep or anything. I just blankly sailed through the stop and by the time i noticed I was stuck in the middle of nowhere. I now have to get 3 more trains to get home.

These things seem to be happening more and more recently. I have been struggling with a feeling of overwhelm with life in general.. can this affect cognitive functioning? This seems to impact my ability to think clearly. It’s almost as if my brain just starts to shut down and I seem to be getting forgetful /blank. I’m feeling a bit alarmed.

Can anyone relate? I just want to press pause on everything and go to bed.

thank you if you read this far

Sorry this has happened. I find things like this happen if I am tired or stressed. I hope someone can offer something more helpful. Hope you get home safely!

@Inaflummox thank you 🙏

How old are you? Could be peri? I have ADHD so what you describe is frustratingly typical for me. But I’ve always been that way, it didn’t just develop. It’s made worse with peri though

Are you possibly in the menopausal/peri-menopausal years? It certainly causes me moments like these.

Stress can do this - brain fog as can perimenopause or hypothyroidism

Have you been stressed and are you getting enough sleep?
I wouldn't necessarily worry about cognitive decline as this can happen to anyone at any stage of their life if they are going thru enough stress and or they are run down.
I had a period of time in my early twenties when I had a lot going on.. and I left an entire months big food shop on a bench after buying it and didn't realise until I'd been at home hours...
As far as I'm aware 15 years later I'm not in any state of cognitive decline. I just had a lot going on and was stressed!

Maybe this is just a sign to take a bit of extra care of yourself. Make sure you are eating and sleeping well.

This sounds very stressful OP and frustrating.
Are you menopausal?
Any health issues, thyroid or deficiencies?
Any other memory issues you have noticed?
Driving somewhere then forgetting a previously familiar route?
Forgetting where the car was parked?
Going shopping or elsewhere then forgetting why you are there?
When was your last GP check up with blood tests?
Has anyone else noticed any issues with your memory?

@TinkerTiger I am in peri, yes.

It’s interesting you mention ADHD as I do believe I have this although never been diagnosed. I have always had a tendency to be disorganised but could “control” it to a certain extent by making lists, taking care to plan and prepare, double check etc.. but now i just feel blank and keep finding myself in these situations more and more often..then i start to panic… which doesn’t help.

I am stressed yes
A lot going on with family, work and yes peri.

I think it would be worth checking it out with a doctor. I had a friend who experienced some things like this and at the time I think she was experiencing a lot of stress which she put it down to. She did things like forgot to pay for her petrol, had a funny turn on a train and forgot where she was and lost her ticket, followed her satnav to the same name street but the wrong town. She did subsequently have a stroke which makes for wonder if she’d been having mini strokes .
.

I don’t seem to have had any other significant memory issues … but it’s a good idea to ask others.

Thank you everyone for your messages.
i feel a little less alone tonight.

I guessed you were in peri. It's trivial in comparison I know, but if it helps at all, during the worst of my perimenopausal brain fog I once drove round and round the same level of a very familiar multi-storey car park trying to find my way out, and it was ages before I remembered where the exit ramp was.

It's frustrating and stressful at the time, but if it reassures you at all it does get better. I'm well and truly postmeno now and my cognitive function is back to normal, thank god.

Can you get a taxi home? That's a long time to wait over night in cold weather! I've missed my stop before in Greater London and ended up paying £25 to get a taxi 15 mins back home 🥴

would you be low in vit B? Are you vegan or veggie?

I think it does happen if you're stressed or tired
The amount of times I used to drive home after a night shift and think "I have no idea how I got here" and not remember any of the drive
And I was only mid twenties

My ADHD has been way worse since entering the menopause. It’s a really bad combo for brain fog. See a doctor and look into HRT.

I don't suppose you're based in England, OP?

You’re not alone OP, we are with you in spirit on the cold platform! And yes, this sort of brain fog can definitely happen when you’re a bit overwhelmed, you only have a certain amount of ‘ band-width’! Hope you are home soon.

Have your b12 levels checked too as low levels can cause forgetfulness and confusion

Thank you so much all.
I am home safely now, just had a quick hot bath as absolutely freezing.

Is this a journey that you do all the time?

Sounds like you are just going through the motions and simply didn't realise

Glad you're home

☕

@Puppypower83
I had planned to do this .. but tbh no longer feel safe getting a taxi on my own at night ..the town was deserted, I was in the middle of nowhere and a good 1.5 hours drive from home.So I went back to wait in the station.

No, not a journey I do often.