A Ferrari brain with bicycle brakes: life with ADHD

Imagine: you're driving a magnificent Ferrari. The engine purrs, you feel the pure power under your hood, and your head is full of brilliant ideas about where you want to go. But there's one small detail... your Ferrari has bicycle brakes. Sound familiar? Welcome to life with ADHD!

Your Ferrari has bicycle brakes. Sound familiar? Welcome to life with ADHD!

Why a Ferrari?

As a therapist, I see daily how people with ADHD struggle to understand their unique qualities. Your brain is like that Ferrari: powerful, fast, and capable of amazing achievements. You think at lightning speed, see connections others miss, and possess creativity that can move mountains.

But just as a Ferrari isn't designed for bicycle brakes, our social system often isn't configured for the ADHD brain. And that can be quite challenging.

Understanding the Bicycle Brakes

Those bicycle brakes? They're your executive functions - your ability to plan, organize, and control impulses. It doesn't mean you're 'broken' or there's something 'wrong' with you. It simply means you have a powerful instrument that needs different tools to function optimally.

Some familiar situations:

• You have great ideas but struggle to execute them

• Your energy shoots in all directions, except the one you want

• You often feel overwhelmed by all the impressions and possibilities

The Power of Understanding

In my practice, I often see how liberating it is when people learn to understand their 'Ferrari brain.' It's not about 'fixing' your bicycle brakes, but about learning to work with your unique setup. Because you know what's beautiful? That Ferrari is still a Ferrari - with all its special characteristics.

Practical Tips for Your Ferrari Brain

• Know your strength: When does your Ferrari perform best? Often these are moments of flow, creativity, or intense focus.

• Respect your brakes: Plan deliberate breaks and build in moments free from overstimulation.

• Create your own racetrack: Set up your environment to work for you, not against you.

A New Perspective

Having ADHD doesn't mean you're 'less' - you just have a different kind of engine under your hood. And yes, sometimes that's challenging in a world designed for diesel engines with standard brakes. But with the right support and understanding, you can learn to make optimal use of your unique characteristics.

Finally:

Remember: you're not alone in this experience. As a therapist specializing in ADHD, I see daily how people learn to drive their 'Ferrari with bicycle brakes' in a way that suits them. It requires different strategies, but it doesn't make you any less valuable or capable.

Do you recognize yourself in this metaphor? Want to learn how to optimally drive your Ferrari? Feel free to get in touch for a conversation. At The Feellary, we understand better than anyone what it's like to go through life with a Ferrari brain.