methods to survive info overload other than withdrawal?

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pretty much just withdrawal I think...
If I don`t see the signs and escape of can`t escape then I switch off totally (thought it was petit mal epilepsy before hearing about meltdowns)

I'm actually trying to write a video on this.

One thing is familiarity. Keeping as many things familiar as possible, or keeping a familiar thing to focus on around.

Another is cutting out various sensations where possible.

I don't know about anyone else but I have a realy hard time telling when I am stressed. I can't look at the way I feeling I look at what behaviors I am ingaging in on the outside. I don't know wether I am being clear so sorry

I'd be interested to hear any ideas on this too. I am obliged to spend Christmas with my brother-in-law's family this year, in a house I've never been to before. There will be at least 8 adults and 6 children there. It's a very long way from home, I don't know if I'll get a proper bed to sleep in (I've been made to sleep on a lilo on a freezing cold floor when visiting them before at another house I didn't know), or whether I'll have a room of my own to retreat into (last time the lilo was in the study, which people wanted to used all day long). There WILL be arguments, because there ALWAYS are, and even when they are not arguing they are all yelling across oneanother with nobody listening. It could be hell on earth but apparently there is no way they will accept me not going. Frankly I'd like to tell them all to duck off!!

At the moment my plan is to get a prescription for some valium, ready for the visit. I don't see how else I can get through it.

Withdrawal can be physically leaving the room ("withdrawing to one's room") or turning inward, ("withdrawing into one's self").
"Shutting off" senses is usually involuntary for us. My hearing shuts out if I'm really focused on something and there's too much noise, but I can't control it. It doesn't occur enough to be helpful either. It usually just omits singular voices and I get told that I'm ignoring.
My husband dims his visual stimuli with sunglasses, literally.

Familiar objects work for my son and husband.

As far as cutting out certain sensations. You can wear tinted glasses (which tint you want will depend on the person). You can wear earplugs or sound-blocking earphones or other such contraptions (musician's earplugs are the best and most comfortable -- they're form-fitted to your ears -- but expensive). You can wear a hat or some veil-like contraption to block out parts of your visual field. There's all kinds of things you can do to reduce the amount of sensations you have to deal with.

Drugs and alcohol. Can't recommend it though. Stick with that sort of withdrawl.

Music and cats

I've found that it helps to remind myself that it will eventually end. I also try to focus on something else.

scrulie, that must be horrible. You have my sympathy.