- Paris Hilton says receiving an ADHD diagnosis as an adult helped her better understand the challenges she faced throughout childhood.
- Hilton says ADHD treatment and organizational strategies help her manage her symptoms while balancing life as a mom and entrepreneur.
- She is speaking openly about her experience to challenge ADHD stigma and encourage others with the condition to embrace how their brains work.
Depending on the day, Paris Hilton may take on the role of socialite, model, singer, actress, media personality, or businesswoman. But every day, she advocates for those living with ADHD because she personally knows the challenges they face.
As a child, Hilton felt deeply misunderstood.
“[It] was really difficult, especially in school, because I felt that no matter how hard I would try or study, school was always so difficult for me; just being able to focus,” she told Healthine. “I just felt like I was constantly getting punished in school, just because of the way my brain worked, and it was really hard to have these labels that weren’t true…People would just assume I wasn’t trying hard because of not being able to…keep up with everyone in the class.”
When Hilton was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, she said it brought her comfort.
“It was a huge relief. I just felt no one understood the way I felt, and then I [got to] know so much about ADHD,” she said. “It made me feel so much less alone, and so many things started making sense. Like growing up, and the way I felt, and the way I was in life, knowing everything about it, it just all clicked for me.”
“It’s a medication that I take at night, and it starts working 10 hours after I take it, so when I wake up in the morning, I’m ready to start my day, and really put things in place and be more organized,” Hilton said. “[It’s] extremely helpful in my life.”
She says the treatment helps her with parenting.
“Being a mom and entrepreneur, balancing all of it is definitely a lot, but now I feel like I’ve been able to really put these systems and tools in place where I’m able to be so present because I have everything really organized,” said Hilton.
She teamed up with Collegium Pharmaceutical, the manufacturer of the medication, to share her story.
“I feel like this is the first time in my life where I really have my symptoms managed, and I feel like before, the treatment was not working, but now with JORNAY PM, it’s just had such a meaningful difference in my life… I feel really happy,” she said.
Justin A. Barterian, PhD, psychologist and associate professor at The Ohio State University – Wexner Medical Center, said stimulant medications are effective treatments for ADHD and help improve attention and reduce hyperactivity/impulsivity.
“Often people find themselves performing much better in school or work when their symptoms are adequately being treated with a stimulant,” he told Healthline.
Barterian said stimulants have progressed from immediate release to extended release, meaning that the medication is released into the bloodstream throughout the day.
“This has allowed for more consistent symptom management throughout the day,” he said.
Stimulant medications are one of the most effective treatments for ADHD. However, Barterian said that cognitive behavioral therapy and executive functioning skills training can also lead to improvements.
“While stimulant medications increase the capacity for attention, executive functioning skills work can help the patient learn evidence-based strategies for organization, planning, and time management,” he said. “Therapy can also address issues that often co-occur with ADHD, such as anxiety and depression.”
Hilton takes pride in talking about ADHD.
“ADHD definitely comes with the challenges of stigma and self-doubt,” she said. “I really want to spread the message that it’s what gives me my creative sparkle, and it’s really influenced the way that I think and innovate with business, and [how I] make music, and the way I see the world.”
She wants others living with ADHD who feel misunderstood and unsupported to feel her support.
“And also, be inspired [and know] that moms and people with ADHD can be successful, and they are some of the most brilliant minds in the world,” said Hilton. “I really want people to embrace that rather than feel like something’s wrong with them.”
Barterian said a common misunderstanding related to those with ADHD is that they are lazy.
“It is a disorder that impacts motivation and leads to significant impairment,” he said. “With proper treatment, the impairment associated with ADHD can be substantially reduced.”
Hilton works to spread this message, noting that as a kid, she didn’t have anyone to look up to who was talking about ADHD.
“So to be able to be that for others just makes me feel really good inside,” Hilton said.
Her advice to others who are living and struggling with ADHD symptoms is to be patient with yourself and know that you are not broken.
“There’s nothing wrong with you, [it’s] just the way that your brain works. [Don’t] be so hard on yourself,” she said. “[Also] connect with others in the ADHD community, and there’s so much information out there now.”
For so long, she felt that only negative aspects of ADHD were discussed, but she said there’s so much more to living with the condition.
“[I] hope that by me talking about it, it can inspire others to embrace their inner sparkle, and see that it’s what gives them creativity…and [someone] who takes risks,” said Hilton. “[That’s] why I’ve always been such an innovator in so many different areas of life and business.”
She credits her ADHD with helping her become a successful entrepreneur.
“[That’s] a really important message for people to know, as well, that they can do whatever they want in life, and that their dreams could come true.”
Leave a Reply