Paris Hilton views her ADHD as a strength, not a setback.

Paris Hilton views her ADHD as a strength, not a setback. In a Teen Vogue essay, Hilton shared her experience with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and how her understanding of it has changed over time.

As a child, Hilton says adults, especially teachers, didn’t share this view. She felt “misunderstood” and “failed” by the school system, eventually being sent to the Troubled Teen Industry program. The National Institute of Mental Health defines ADHD as a disorder causing problems with attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that affect daily life.

Hilton, now 43, recalls her mind always racing. She was “too energetic,” “too distracted,” and “too talkative.” At the time, she didn’t realize these were signs of ADHD, which led to her being sent to Provo Canyon School, a facility for troubled teens.

In her essay, Hilton said she wished someone had asked what was really going on with her, rather than punishing her for how her brain worked.

When she was finally diagnosed, Hilton didn’t feel relieved. Instead, she saw it as a “label” that defined her by what she couldn’t do.

“I used to hide it, worried people would see me as unfocused or incapable,” she wrote. But over time, she began to see the positives. “The other side of ADHD brings creativity, passion, and resilience.”

Today, Hilton calls her ADHD a “superpower.” She believes it has helped her predict trends, build her business, stay motivated, and connect with others.

Though she knows many still see ADHD negatively, Hilton encourages people to embrace their differences rather than try to fit into society’s expectations.