Silent meltdowns?

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What is a silent meltdown called?
If I'm in public places and feel stressed or if there is a lot of light and sound around me I will just shut down.
It feels like I'm not actually present in the situation... It feels like I'm just watching a movie and I can't actually respond or understand anything that is being said.

Is this a shutdown?
I used to get them all the time two years ago.

I've seen them referred to as shutdowns on the forum before

Yeah, that sounds like a shutdown.

I had a shutdown at my parents place 4 weeks ago this weekend. I was comparing myself to the rest of the family. My sister and niece were over for dinner. It was like the rest of my family was wearing a gold crown and a robe and I was
Schultz. I kept that up and I had to lay down in the spare bedroom a few times. My mum wasn't too happy about the way I was acting and I wasn't too happy about the position that I've been put in two months earlier.

Yep, what you described is typical shutdown for me.
I also call it going catatonic.

Yeah, that's called a shutdown.

Mine are different from what's usually described here. I tend to get extremely tired very suddenly and might actually fall asleep, even if it's incredibly loud.

I feel that at times as well... Like it's a weird sort of tired for me. Like everything is just spinning around and I'm about to fall asleep because I'm just waaaay too tired.

I get that way too. Different from freezing up, but both from getting overloaded.

Yes, it must be a dissociative state a defence against overstimulation.

Yes, this is probably a shutdown from overstimulation or stress. I go through this if I'm out of the house for more than an hour or so.

Shutdown, I get that way too.

id say its an internal shutdown for sure.. I get them frequently especially amongst numbers of people, i will often become mute and just listen or in extreme cases if out at a pub with a friend or two i will totally shutdown aswell as perspire and get the feeling of impending doom where i am in fight and flight mode, eyeing the exit but unable to move, and when someone tries to talk to me in this situation i will often not be able to get my words out or my words are jumbled... In situations like this i try to leave or observe in a darker corner of the establishment, other times i will constantly walk around the establishment in circles never really chatting to anyone, just giving the illusion that i have so i dont look so idiotic staying/sitting in one place for hours without talking to anyone... If at a party, i hate being in the same room as everyone and will often venture outside where there is normally only one or two people and if it gets too overwhelming i will plan my escape and leave hoping knowone will notice! lol

Yes, I've had this happen. Does it feel as if someone gave you pain killers, thus you're so tired? That's how I feel, especially after a big meeting at work. Not looking forward to my training today.

Also, somewhat related to this--does anyone else have their face fall asleep if they try to converse naturally for too long? This happens to me if I'm trying to have an active, "natural" exchange. Maybe after 30 minutes my face will feel tingly.

It happens to me a lot as well. I often get super tired all of sudden then need to at least hit the nearest table or surface to rest myself for 5-10 min then I wake up again. I interpret it as my body resetting itself to deal with the sudden onslaught of sensory. Honestly? Its way better than having migraine for a whole day.

I shutdown a lot, especially at school.