What does an overload do to you?

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^^^

Good question! Lab Pet voted 'shutdown' but there's some overlaps and maybe no term to describe. If/when there is stimuli overload, which is quite like a flood, then I may lack the capacity to know how to divert. Then, like a machine, I just shut-down.

Too much can be as if 'white noise' and cannot process.

I voted: "More than one of the above".

For me it depends on the situation I'm in.
Back in my younger days, In school, I was more likely to have a uncontrolable rage, while being unresponsive.

Nowadays it's more: "You can't think", and "You go unresponsive", and few times: "You lose some of your abilities (shutdown)".
Ie. being at work, trying to solve something and there's a constant noise bothering me I can't think, if this goes on long enough I begin being unresponsive (Because I zone-out), and in worst case I leave the room as quick as possible, going to the toilet and lock myself in, and shutdown.

More than one of the above. Thinking becomes difficult, I may become semi-nonverbal, but most of all I completely lose any capacity for tact and nonverbal expression, even to the extent that people ask what's wrong. I guess my face goes blank. I may say something offensive because there's nothing else to say or no other way to say it. I can't ask for help in this state so my only option is to leave.

Things that have made me feel overwhelmed lately:

Going to the library or any other place I've never been or have not been in a long time. I no longer know exactly where stuff is, and lack a sense of belonging. I need to leave and go back a few more times on a few more days before I can get anything done.

Encountering unexpected obstacles in getting something simple done, and thinking "If this were a book I could just read the damn thing!" I'm unable to ask for help that day. I may yet return to finish this particular task. Then again, maybe not. Aw, screw it.

Handling a large number of parts at Home Depot while trying to figure out how to build a flame reactor. Not being able to re-shelve parts quickly is the last straw. I must take what I have, leave, and get something to eat.

High school reunion: Loud music, bright lights, mostly friendly people (I think) I haven't seen in years. I'm not adjusted for this environment. People are misunderstanding me and reading the wrong things into what I say and do. My face is blank and I say little. People ask me if I'm OK. I realize after the fact that my tone might have been a bit off when I explain that about 200000 helium balloons = 1 ton. I'm a bit different when talking about something sciency. Confident, but maybe a bit strident. Maybe I like being like that a little bit. When I leave, I am apparently invited to an afterparty, but have trouble finding the place. Not sure the invitation was genuine. I give a guy a ride back to his hometown and he makes outrageous claims about what we'll do when we get there. I am relieved when I am finally alone again and on my way back home.

I disconnect & go into scripted actions. It also depends on the circumstances too. Parties are not good for me because they last tooo long. Grocery stores and such.. people become like trees to walk around, I do not notice faces...store lines are an issue.

As long as it's short term, I can kinda remove myself and go into remote control type of thing. It's hard to explain, it's a feeling I am not really there... but I see what is going on.
If it's an extended overload.. I end up having a panic attack and hide. Sports & theme parks are not good ideas for me.

One, some, or all of the above.

All of the above, depending on the situation.

Uuuh.. I guess it's mostly that I just can't think. My brain goes silent, and I can't find any of my thoughts. So I guess I lose the ability to do things that require much thinking. XD;; But I can still pretty much function, and I can talk although it gets kind of scrambly and I can't find some words.

I voted "more than one of the above". When overloaded, I can't think straight and start to panic. I often walk away if I am in a situation where I feel I can't take it any more.

I break down and cry.

Usually I can't think. And shouting usually causes that. Once I hear a really loud shout (even if it is not directed at me) it makes me jump, repeats over and over in my head and I struggle to concentrate. Apparantely when I was a young child it even made me cry.