Paris Hilton recently opened up about her ‘exhausting’ battle with ADHD.
The reality TV personality, 43, got candid about dealing with the symptoms as a child before she received a diagnosis and learned to embrace it in adulthood.
In a personal essay for Teen Vogue, which was published on Saturday, she also explained that her symptoms contributed to her parents sending her to a troubled teen facility.
She said her ‘constant need’ for stimulation combined with struggles at a school that could not accommodate her led to her being sent to the Provo Canyon School.
The DJ — who stepped out in a edgy-chic, punk outfit in New York City last week — previously spoke out extensively about experiencing severe abuse at the facility.
Paris Hilton recently opened up about her ‘exhausting’ battle with ADHD . The reality TV personality, 43, got candid about dealing with the symptoms as a child before she received a diagnosis and learned to embrace it in adulthood; pictured September 11 in Elmont
‘Growing up, I was always told that I was too energetic, too distracted, too talkative — just too everything,’ she said about her childhood.
‘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 happening,’ she said.
‘At first, being diagnosed felt like a label — something that boxed me in, defining me by what I couldn’t do, by what made me different,’ she continued.
‘It’s something I used to keep hidden, worried about how it might be perceived,’ she added.
‘Would people think I was too scattered, too unfocused, or incapable of success? But those challenges are just one side of the coin,’ she said.
‘The other side reveals something beautiful: creativity, passion, resilience and a mind that thinks in bold, unexpected ways,’ she continued.
Hilton said she has learned to embrace her differences now and does not see ADHD as a ‘limitation.’
Instead, the Simple Life alum said she sees it as her ‘superpower.’
‘It’s my secret weapon in a world that often tells us to play it safe,’ she explained.
‘My brain doesn’t follow a straight line — it zigzags and explores uncharted territory, allowing me to break boundaries and stay ahead of the curve.’
The socialite also credited ADHD as ‘the reason I’ve been able to anticipate trends.’
‘It’s given me the creativity to build an empire, the drive to keep pushing the limits, and the empathy to connect with people on a deeper level,’ she added.
She also explained that her symptoms contributed to her parents sending her to a troubled teen facility. She said her ‘constant need’ for stimulation combined with struggles at a school that could not accommodate her led to her being sent to the Provo Canyon School
Hilton said she has learned to embrace her differences now and does not see ADHD as a ‘limitation.’ Instead, the Simple Life alum said she sees it as her ‘superpower’; pictured September 5 in New York City
‘It’s my secret weapon in a world that often tells us to play it safe,’ she explained. The socialite also credited ADHD as ‘the reason I’ve been able to anticipate trends’; pictured May 1 in Burbank
Despite the advantages, Hilton said that ADHD can be not only ‘noisy’ but also ‘overwhelming’ and ‘exhausting’; pictured February 3 in Los Angeles
The entrepreneur said she is able to use ADHD symptoms to her advantage and hyper-focus on her passions — which includes her work and her family.
‘Because my brain thrives on newness, on bold ideas and on innovation, I see the world as full of possibilities, and I’ve learned to embrace that energy,’ she wrote.
Despite the advantages, Hilton said that ADHD can be not only ‘noisy’ but also ‘overwhelming’ and ‘exhausting.’
‘But let’s be real: ADHD can also be overwhelming and exhausting because my mind is constantly buzzing with thoughts, ideas, and distractions,’ she wrote.
‘People often see the glamorous, successful side of me, but behind the scenes, there are days when the noise inside my head can be so loud that it’s difficult to find clarity.’
She said that she had to learn to give herself ‘grace,’ leans on her support system during hard times and wants to change the way ADHD is viewed by society.
‘The stigma surrounding ADHD — and neurodivergence in general — needs to change,’ she said. ‘We live in a world where we’re often expected to fit into boxes, to follow the rules, and to do things the way everyone else does. But my ADHD has taught me that the most magical things happen when you break free from those expectations. We need to stop labeling neurodivergent individuals as “disordered” and start recognizing the unique gifts they bring.’
Her personal essay comes about one month after she released her new album Infinite Icon — which even features a song titled ADHD.
She said that she had to learn to give herself ‘grace,’ leans on her support system during hard times and wants to change the way ADHD is viewed by society; pictured March 10 in Beverly Hills
She released her album on September 6, which is nearly two decades after she made her 2006 self-titled debut. She said that her song ADHD is a ‘celebration of my journey and a message to others that ADHD is something to be embraced, not hidden’; pictured February 4 in Los Angeles
She released her album on September 6, which is nearly two decades after she made her 2006 self-titled debut.
She said that her song ADHD is a ‘celebration of my journey and a message to others that ADHD is something to be embraced, not hidden.’
Hilton explained: ‘I want people, especially young women, to know that being different is beautiful, and 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,’ she wrote.
‘To anyone out there who feels like they’re struggling with ADHD or any other challenge, I want you to know this: you are not alone, and you are not defined by your diagnosis,’ she concluded her essay. ‘Embrace your differences, because they are what makes you unstoppable.’