Zoning out in busy places - is it 'normal'?

[piandag]

My entire life I have had this issue where anytime I'm in a busy/loud/overwhelming places (shopping centres, supermarkets, restaurants). I start to zone out and it takes a lot of mental effort to pay attention. I know it's a form of dissociation but wondered if it's a normal response that everyone experiences in busy environments or if it suggests I may be neurodivergent? As a child, I would describe it as feeling 'tired' or 'sleepy'. It is noticeable to people who know me who ask if I'm ok or describe me as seeming 'dazed'.

I zone out all the time but I have a few mental illnesses so I'm not sure if its normal or not. I see it as quite a good skill at times if you learn how to do it on demand

No idea, but I do the same - it gets a bit overwhelming and so I just sort of go into myself. Not ND - at least, I'm pretty sure I'm not! I am quite introverted though and partially deaf, so it becomes quite challenging to follow conversation and deal with the noise without being exhausted, so I zone out.

Also zone out a lot. I have never been diagnosed with any ND but 2/3 of my DC have and I certainly have autistic traits so very possible.

Thank you for your replies - I'm glad I'm not the only one who experiences it. I have two autistic siblings and have a lot of social anxiety so have always wondered about possible neurodivergence in myself.

The zoning out can be quite severe and hard to snap myself out of. I used to get it a lot in my old job when I'd go into the office. If I got up to go to the loo I used to have to leave something like my brightly coloured water bottle on my desk to guide me back to my seat as I'd forget where I was sitting/couldn't navigate myself properly. I also would struggle to cross roads after leaving work as I'd be so dazed and mentally fatigued. I'd get barely any work done in the office and would have to catch up in the evenings. Thankfully I now work fully remotely.

My eldest (dual diagnosis of ADHD and Autism) does this. People mistake it for shyness but she genuinely isn’t shy and just zones out.