Paris Hilton opened up about being diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and how she has come to see this chronic illness as her “superpower.”
In an essay for Teen Vogue, the 43-year-old reality TV star reflected on how she struggled with ADHD symptoms before receiving her diagnosis later in life.
“When I was a kid, I was always told I was too energetic, too distracted, too talkative… just too all,” Hilton wrote at the beginning of her op-ed.
“My constant need for stimulation, coupled with a school system that didn't naturally fit my way of learning, eventually led to my time in the Troubled Teen Industry, which was apparently meant to 'fix' me,” she continued.
Paris Hilton opened up about learning to accept her ADHD diagnosis. (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Wall Street Journal)
Hilton previously spoke about how her rebelliousness as a teenager led her parents to send her to a series of residential facilities and treatment programs for children with behavioral problems, addiction struggles and mental health issues. At age 17, she spent 11 months at Provo Canyon School in Utah, where she reported being sexually abused.
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Recalling that period of her life in her Teen Vogue essay, Hilton wrote, “I wish someone had asked, 'What's really going on with her?'”
“Instead, I spent years feeling misunderstood and punished for the way my brain worked,” she added. “It wasn't until much later in life that I discovered what was really going on: I had ADHD.”
Hilton wrote that her ADHD symptoms led to “her time in the troubled teen industry.” (Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Hilton went on to note that ADHD is often a “silent struggle” for girls and women, whose diagnoses often go unnoticed according to studies.
The socialite recalled that she initially felt uncertainty about how to face her own diagnosis.
“At first, the diagnosis seemed like a label, something that pigeonholed me, that defined me by what I couldn't do, by what made me different,” he wrote. “It's something I used to keep hidden, worried about how I might be perceived. Would people think I was too scattered, too unfocused, or unable to succeed?”
He continued: “But those challenges are only one side of the coin. The other side reveals something beautiful: creativity, passion, resilience and a mind that thinks boldly and unexpectedly.”
“ADHD is not a limitation; it is a superpower. It is my secret weapon in a world that often tells us to play it safe.”
The reality star wrote that she now sees her ADHD as her “secret weapon.” (Getty Images)
Hilton explained that many of her personal and professional achievements were due to how ADHD affects her thought processes.
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“My brain doesn't follow a straight line: it zigzags and explores uncharted territory, allowing me to break boundaries and stay ahead,” he wrote. “ADHD is the reason I've been able to anticipate trends, it's given me the creativity to build an empire, the drive to keep pushing boundaries, and the empathy to connect with people on a deeper level.”
“ADHD is not a limitation; it is a superpower. It is my secret weapon in a world that often tells us to play it safe.”
“One of the most powerful gifts of ADHD is the ability to focus on the things I am passionate about,” Hilton continued. “When I am interested in something, I can completely lose myself in it, going deeper than most people could. This skill has been the driving force behind many of my successes because I dedicate myself to every detail and become obsessed with a project for hours, losing track of time. Because my brain thrives on novelty, bold ideas and innovation, I see the world as full of possibilities and I have learned to harness that energy.
“But let's be real: ADHD can also be overwhelming and exhausting because my mind is constantly full of thoughts, ideas and distractions,” “The Simple Life” alum admitted. “People often see the glamorous and successful side of me, but behind the scenes, there are days when the noise inside my head can be so loud that it's hard to find clarity.”
Hilton addressed the stigma around ADHD and urged the need for change. (Getty Images)
Hilton shared that she has created systems and structures to help her manage her ADHD, as well as surrounding herself with a circle of support.
“But even with these strategies, there are days when ADHD can feel like a storm I have to weather, and that's okay,” Hilton wrote. “It's part of the journey and I've learned to give myself grace during those moments.”
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The model addressed the stigma around ADHD and neurodivergence, which she said “needs to change.”
“We live in a world where we are often expected to fit into boxes, follow rules, and do things like everyone else. But my ADHD has taught me that the most magical things happen when you let go of those expectations,” she explained.
“We need to stop labeling neurodivergent individuals as 'disordered' and start recognizing the unique gifts they bring,” Hilton added.
Hilton's latest album, “Infinite Icon,” includes a song titled “ADHD.” (Getty Images)
Last month, Hilton released her album “Infinite Icon,” which was her first album since making her musical debut with 2006's “Paris.”
“Infinite Icon” features a song titled “ADHD,” which she wrote in her essay is a “celebration of my journey and a message to others that ADHD is something to be accepted, not hidden.” Hilton also noted that her nonprofit 11:11 has partnered with Understood.org and other organizations to change the stigma around ADHD and provide resources to people with the disorder.
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“I want people, especially young women, to know that being different is beautiful and that your 'flaws' can actually be your greatest assets. I've faced challenges, sure, but ADHD has given me an inner strength and confidence that nothing can take away,” Hilton wrote.
“To anyone who feels like they are struggling with ADHD or any other challenge, I want you to know this: you are not alone and your diagnosis does not define you. Embrace your differences, because they are what make you unstoppable.”
