Sensory overload is a very real and distressing experience and I think we need to acknowledge it when it happens to ourselves and others. My default response when it happens is to get annoyed and try to push through it. It has taken me a long time to unlearn this – still working on it. Here is a useful guide on how to look after sensory overload:

http://recovery-community.tumblr.com/post/88654102707/sensory-overload-and-how-to-cope-click-on