Is this sensory overload?

I think my eyes are very sensitive to light. My eyes get easily tired in bright rooms. Moreover, I always try to dim the lights in my house and my parents get annoyed.
I squint and hate glare from computers and I always adjust computer screens to the lowest contrast and brightness. I can stand bright rooms and computer screens for a while but after maybe 4 hours, even with blinking, my face starts to squint, my eyes get tired and I feel like sleeping.
Recently, me and my dad went to IKEA (a huge furniture store).
When I looked around on a floor filled with A LOT OF different furniture, I was visually overwhelmed and I felt like shutting my eyes and I did every so often. I felt as if there was too much to see and handle and process. I don't think everyone around there felt that way, I don't think my dad felt that way.
Is this IKEA-event an example of sensory overload/sensory issues?

Could also be that you have acquired Myopia. Not to worry, that just means you need glasses when you aren't looking at something close. Adds more points to the AS nerd score.

TNSe wrote:Could also be that you have acquired Myopia. Not to worry, that just means you need glasses when you aren't looking at something close. Adds more points to the AS nerd score.

I already wear glasses. I don't get this feeling in most other place/situations. I suspect I have mild AS.

Well, IKEA does the same to me. Too many people, too much colors, and if it wasn't for the Arrows guiding me out of there I'd probably get lost. But yeah, definately sounds like sensory overload.

I also get problems with sensory underload (?). I once went into this store where they sell carpets, pillows, and other bedstuff. The store was so sound isolated from this that I felt I went blind. I felt I could not see anything anymore.

Well a good indicator of sensory overload is when common tasks become difficult or 'distant' to remember or realize, for example not realizing that you need to push a button to open a bus's door despite the bold letters forming the word 'PUSH BAR FOR DOOR' (a personal fav), becoming somewhat ruffled (not to be confused with being indecisive) when faced with multiple choices...basically when any given task at hand becomes a distraction.
Also, keep in mind that many disorders and even common activities (like forgetting to press the 'B' button or something like that, and for the umpteenth time at that) include sensory overload so don't be quick to diagnose yourself based on a faceless opinion from the internet.
You may just have a lot on your plate, or you may have a disorder. Either way, you're better off just coping with it instead of questioning worrying about it as that would only attribute to making it worse.

TNSe wrote:I also get problems with sensory underload (?). I once went into this store where they sell carpets, pillows, and other bedstuff. The store was so sound isolated from this that I felt I went blind. I felt I could not see anything anymore.

Funny you should mention that - I get a similar problem in new cars - where the engine is quiet and the sound well insulated. There's something about the lack of noise that leaves me feeling a little spaced out and "headachey"

I do get similar problems, no idea what causes it but its sensory related definately.

Have any professionally diagnosed aspies ever gone through nearly the same experience that both me and TNSe are describing?

Yes. I suffer the same thing from loud noises, I've always had very sensitive hearing, and am somewhat sensitive to light. I also get to an emotional sensory overload, and while I calm down eventually, the last time this happend I was put on medication for OCD in a hospital.

It could very likely be sensory overload.