Paris Hilton is pulling back the curtain on a condition that has affected her deeply: rejection sensitivity dysphoria, or RSD.
The socialite described it as feeling like there’s “a demon in your mind,” whispering negative thoughts.
At 44, Hilton is speaking candidly about how the condition has shaped her life, both personally and professionally.
The conversation came during her appearance on The Him & Her Show podcast with Lauryn and Michael Bosstick, airing Monday, where she shared the journey of her mental health diagnosis and how it intersects with ADHD.
Understanding Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria
Hilton explained that she was initially diagnosed with ADHD in her late 20s but later learned that RSD played a significant role in her emotional experiences.
“It’s basically, like, any thought of a negative perception… you feel it like it’s physical pain, even when it’s not real,” she said.
“It’s like a demon in your mind saying negative things to you.”
The Cleveland Clinic defines RSD as the experience of severe emotional pain after failure or perceived rejection.
Research suggests a connection between RSD and ADHD, likely due to differences in brain structure that make regulating rejection-related emotions much more difficult.
How RSD Affected Hilton’s Life
For Hilton, RSD meant feeling negative emotions “on such a deep level,” which required learning to recognize when those feelings were driven by the condition.
She reflected on her life in the early 2000s, especially under the media spotlight, and how these experiences intensified her struggles.
“I’m obsessed with learning more about it and spreading the message because I want people to know it doesn’t have to hold them back,” Hilton said.
“It can actually be harnessed as a superpower to go after your dreams.”
ADHD and Growing Up Misunderstood
Hilton noted that she wasn’t diagnosed with ADHD as a child because awareness around the condition, especially for girls, was limited.
“Everyone said, ‘Oh, this is something little boys have,’” she explained.
“And back then, they only talked about the negative parts of it.”
She described how undiagnosed ADHD impacted her education.
“I was always so confused in school,” Hilton recalled.
“As hard as I would study, I could never remember anything. I was always failing tests, in detention, getting in trouble—it was really hard.”
Turning Challenges Into Strengths
Now, Hilton says she has learned to refocus her mind to manage both RSD and ADHD effectively.
“I see this as my superpower, and I wouldn’t be the entrepreneur I am today without it,” she shared.
“It gave me drive, always thinking about the future, even if it could be overwhelming.”
Her advocacy extends beyond mental health, as she recently joined a protest in Washington, D.C., against AI deepfakes.
Supporting the DEFIANCE Act, she stood alongside lawmakers including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Laurel Lee.
The bipartisan bill would allow victims to sue individuals who create and distribute nonconsensual AI-generated content.
Speaking Out Against Abuse
Hilton drew on her own experiences with online sexual abuse, referencing the leak of her 2004 sex tape 1 Night in Paris.
“When I was 19, a private intimate video of me was shared without my consent,” she said.
She emphasized that such experiences are not “scandals” but abuse, highlighting how survivors are often humiliated and silenced.
“This isn’t just about technology—it’s about power,” Hilton concluded.
“It’s about someone using your likeness to humiliate, silence, and strip you of your dignity.”
RSD and ADHD: What You Need to Know
According to the Cleveland Clinic, RSD is linked to ADHD, although it isn’t an officially recognized medical condition and research remains limited.
Experts believe differences in brain structure prevent proper regulation of rejection-related emotions, making them feel extreme.
Doctors may suspect RSD based on symptoms or coexisting conditions like ADHD, but many remain unfamiliar with it or mistake it for another issue.
While RSD itself isn’t dangerous, it can contribute to anxiety or depression, increasing risks of self-harm or suicidal thoughts.
Looking Ahead
Hilton’s openness is helping to shift conversations around mental health and RSD, reframing it as a condition that can be managed and even leveraged as a strength.
For her, understanding her diagnosis has been transformative, fueling her entrepreneurial drive and advocacy work.
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