Paris Hilton sees ADHD as her 'secret weapon'

Paris Hilton believes ADHD is her "secret weapon".

The 43-year-old socialite initially worried about being "boxed in" by neurodiversity but has grown to celebrate the fact she thinks in "bold, unexpected ways". She also believes her condition has helped her to "break boundaries" and continue to set trends.

In an essay for Teen Vogue magazine, she wrote in part: "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.

"It's something I used to keep hidden, worried about how it might be perceived. Would people think I was too scattered, too unfocused, or incapable of success?

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"But those challenges are just one side of the coin. The other side reveals something beautiful: creativity, passion, resilience, and a mind that thinks in bold, unexpected ways.

"ADHD isn't a limitation; it's a superpower. It's my secret weapon in a world that often tells us to play it safe.

"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. 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 the limits, and the empathy to connect with people on a deeper level."

And Paris — who has Phoenix, 20 months, and London, 10 months, with husband Carter Reum — appreciates being able to "hyper-focus" on her passions.

She continued: "One of the most powerful gifts of ADHD is the ability to hyper-focus on things I am passionate about. When I'm interested in something, I can lose myself in it completely, going deeper than most people might.

"This ability has been the driving force behind many of my successes because I throw myself into every detail and obsess over a project for hours, losing track of time. Because my brain thrives on newness, on bold ideas, and on innovation, I see the world as full of possibilities, and I've learnt to embrace that energy."

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However, she also admitted life with ADHD can get "overwhelming".

She wrote: "But let's be real, ADHD can also be overwhelming and exhausting because my mind is constantly buzzing with thoughts, ideas, and distractions. 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."

Paris has learnt to put strategies in place to manage the "tough moments" she experiences.

She explained: "I've learnt over time to manage my tough moments by creating structure around my life — setting up systems to keep me grounded and surrounding myself with a team that understands how I work best.

"One of my favourite hacks is listening to everything I read in audio form! But even with these strategies, there are days when ADHD can feel like a storm that I have to navigate, and that's okay. It's part of the journey, and I've learnt to give myself grace during those times."

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