Paris Hilton Opens Up About Her ADHD Diagnosis: 'It's My Secret Weapon'

Paris Hilton gets candid about her ADHD diagnosis.

The reality TV star, 43, opened up in a personal essay for Teen Voguepublished on Oct. 5, about how her ADHD symptoms contributed to her being sent to a troubled teen facility — and how the diagnosis later in life helped her embrace her differences.

“Growing up, I was always told I was too energetic, too distracted, too talkative – just too much all,Hilton began the essay.

According to A simple life alum, her “constant need” for stimulation combined with problems at a school that couldn’t accommodate her eventually led to her enrollment at Provo Canyon School—where she was the subject of severe abuse, which she has long spoken about.

“I wish someone had asked, ‘What’s really going on with her?’ Instead, I spent years feeling misunderstood, punished for the way my brain worked. It wasn’t until much later in life that I discovered what was really going on,” Hilton continued in part, before talking about how ADHD often goes undiagnosed. in women and girls. .

Paris Hilton in February 2024.

Leon Bennett/Getty

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“In the beginning, being diagnosed was like a label – something that decorated me, defined me by what I couldn’t do, what made me different,” she wrote. “It’s something I’ve kept hidden, worried about how it might be perceived. Would people think I’m too scattered, too unfocused or incapable of success? But these challenges are only one side of the coin. The other side reveals something beautiful: creativity, passion, resilience and a mind that thinks in bold, unexpected ways.”

For the mom of two, ADHD isn’t a “limitation” for her — “it’s a superpower.”

“It’s my secret weapon in a world that often tells us to play it safe,” Hilton wrote.

“My brain doesn’t follow a straight line – it zigzags and explores uncharted territory, which allows me to push boundaries and stay ahead of the curve,” she added. “ADHD is the reason I could predict trends, it gave me the creativity to build an empire, the drive to keep pushing boundaries, and the empathy to connect with people on a deeper level.”

Paris Hilton.

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Hilton said the neurodevelopmental disorder allows her to hyperfocus on the things she’s most passionate about in life — including work and family.

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“Because my brain thrives on novelty, bold ideas and innovation, I see the world as full of possibility and I’ve learned to embrace that energy,” she wrote in the essay.

“But let’s be real: ADHD can also be overwhelming and exhausting because my mind is constantly buzzing with thoughts, ideas and distractions,” she added. “People often see the glamorous, successful side of me, but behind the scenes, there are days when the noise in my head can be so loud that it’s hard to find clarity.”

Giving herself “grace” and finding people who can act as part of her support system were some of the most important ways Hilton learned to support herself through her ADHD diagnosis — but she’s still advocating for a change in the way our culture views ADHD.

“The stigma surrounding ADHD — and neurodivergence in general — needs to change,” she wrote. “We live in a world where we are often expected to fit in, follow the rules, and do things the way everyone else does. But my ADHD has taught me that the most magical things happen when you break free of those expectations. They must stop labeling neurodivergent individuals. as ‘disordered’ and begin to recognize the unique gifts they bring.”

Paris Hilton announces her second album Infinite icon Almost 2 decades after ‘The Stars Are Blind’

Paris Hilton at the 2023 Grammy Awards Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty

Hilton’s music album Infinite icon — which she released on Sept. 6, nearly two decades after the premiere of her 2006 self-titled debut — even features a song, simply titled “ADHD,” that serves as “a celebration of my journey and a message to others that ADHD is something to be embraced, not hidden .”

“I want people, especially young women, to know that it’s nice to be different, and that your “flaws” can actually be your greatest strengths. I’ve faced challenges, of course, but ADHD has given me an inner strength and confidence that nothing can take away. ” Hilton wrote, speaking about her advocacy through her nonprofit 11:11 Media Impact.

“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,” the essay concluded. “Embrace your differences, because they are what make you unstoppable.”

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education