October is ADHD Awareness Month. This year, Understood is raising awareness of ADHD in women — and the impact it has on their lives. 

Almost 70 million people in the United States have learning and thinking differences, like ADHD. Boys and girls likely have ADHD at similar rates. But girls are diagnosed only one-half as often. Undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, they often grow up not knowing why they’re struggling. Blaming themselves. As girls and then as women, they face a “quiet fight” without the resources they need to thrive. 

That’s where Understood comes in.

To kick off ADHD Awareness Month, Understood partnered with 11:11 Media Impact, the charitable arm of Paris Hilton’s next-gen media and consumer lifestyle company. The partnership will focus on driving awareness, breaking down stigmas, and — most importantly — providing resources for women and children with ADHD across life, work, and health.

In this exclusive Q&A blog, we sit down with entrepreneur and cultural icon, Paris Hilton, to discuss her personal journey with ADHD. From early challenges to embracing her diagnosis and using her platform to raise awareness, Paris opens up about her experiences, offering insights and advice to other women navigating the complexities of ADHD.

When did you first realize you might have ADHD? Were there any specific challenges or experiences growing up that made you suspect something was different?

I didn’t realize I had ADHD until my 30s, but looking back, the signs were clear. As a child, I had endless energy, struggled to focus in school, and needed constant stimulation. Unfortunately, my undiagnosed ADHD led me into the Troubled Teen Industry at 16, where I endured physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. Many survivors share this diagnosis, and it’s vital to destigmatize ADHD and raise awareness. By providing resources and educating families, we can foster empathy, understanding, and support for kids, helping them thrive and avoid harmful paths.

Do you feel that ADHD has contributed to your creativity and entrepreneurial spirit? If so, how do you think it has shaped your life and career?

ADHD has been a big part of what drives my creativity and entrepreneurial spirit! My mind is always buzzing with ideas, and I think that’s helped me in building my businesses and staying ahead of trends. It can be challenging to manage at times, but it also pushes me to think outside the box and allows me to multitask. When I channel my energy into things I’m passionate about — such as my many clothing and beauty businesses, my new album, film/TV, and most importantly my advocacy work — I’m so proud of the outcome. Instead of seeing ADHD as a challenge, I’ve learned to embrace it as one of my forefront strengths, which has helped shape my career in ways I never imagined.

How has your understanding and management of ADHD evolved over time? What lessons have you learned along the way?

It has absolutely been a journey and I imagine I’m not alone in that feeling! In the beginning, I didn’t really know what ADHD was, let alone that I had it. As I entered adulthood, I realized that understanding ADHD — and my support system understanding ADHD — is key to managing it. I’ve found ways to work with my brain instead of against it, whether that’s by creating structured routines, setting reminders to stay on track, using voice notes and putting everything I read into audio form, or surrounding myself with people who help me stay organized. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to be kind to myself. I used to get frustrated when I couldn’t focus, would lose something, or felt overwhelmed, but now I understand that ADHD is part of who I am. I value self-care, whether it’s through meditation, my nightly skin routine, or just taking breaks with my babies to recharge — and highly recommend anyone reading to explore different ways that help you feel calm so you can have them in your toolbox when you need them!

Your new single “ADHD” goes through the realities of living with ADHD. Can you tell us about your decision to use music to share your experiences with ADHD and what you hope listeners will take away from it?

Music has always been a powerful way for me to express myself, and with my new single, “ADHD,” I wanted to give people a real, raw look into what living with ADHD feels like. Writing this song was personal for me, because I wanted to break down some of the misconceptions around ADHD. Through the lyrics, I tried to capture both the highs and lows — how ADHD can be overwhelming at times, but also how it fuels creativity and passion. I hope that listeners who have ADHD will feel seen and understood, and for those who don’t have ADHD, that it opens up more understanding and empathy. At the end of the day, I want people to feel empowered to embrace who they are and their superpower — in my case, it’s my ADHD :) 

What advice would you give other women struggling to accept their ADHD diagnosis? How did you come to embrace it?

ADHD isn’t a barrier; it’s a different way of thinking that can lead to incredible creativity and success. It’s like having a brain that’s wired to think outside the box, and when you learn to harness that energy, you can do anything.

My advice would be to give yourself grace and remember that ADHD doesn’t define you — it’s just one part of who you are. It can be tough at first to accept the diagnosis, especially when society often misunderstands ADHD, but once you understand how your brain works, it can be incredibly empowering.

There’s no “one size fits all” approach, so be patient with yourself as you figure it out. You’re not alone, and embracing who you are unapologetically will only make you stronger. 

For more information on ADHD and women visit u.org/adhd-women. To learn more about 11:11 Media Impact, Paris Hilton’s nonprofit, visit https://www.1111mediaimpact.com/