Real Housewives of Orange County star Tamra Judge has tearfully revealed she’s ‘on the spectrum’ – and tells exactly how she found out the news.
The reality TV personality, 57, opened up about her diagnosis during a new episode of her Two T’s In a Pod podcast on iHeart, which she hosts alongside former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Teddi Mellencamp.
“Well, I just did my first therapy session, and let’s just say I discovered something pretty big about myself that I didn’t know before,” Judge began.
In response, Mellencamp asked Judge what was wrong, and she explained what her therapist had told her.
“I’m on the spectrum,” Judge claimed, tears streaming down her face.
Real Housewives of Orange County star Tamra Judge has tearfully revealed she’s ‘on the spectrum’ – and shares exactly how she found out the news
Judge went on to say that she has a “difficulty processing things” and has sensory issues, especially when it comes to sound and light
Being “on the spectrum” often refers to autism spectrum disorder, which is referred to as a spectrum because it can have a wide range of symptoms and affect people in different ways.
It is a “condition related to brain development that affects how a person perceives and interacts with others, causing problems in social interaction and communication,” according to the Mayo Clinic.
Judge went on to say that she has a “hard time processing things” and has sensory issues, especially when it comes to sound and light.
“My biggest problem is dealing with trauma, trauma that I’ve had in my life,” Judge continued to Mellencamp.
“I struggle with empathy when feeling the feelings of others,” the Real Housewives veteran explained.
The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip star seemed shocked by her diagnosis, but Mellencamp was there to comfort her.
“Well, I think it means a lot that you’re taking the steps to find out,” Mellencamp said.
Judge reinforced her thoughts and said it was something she had never noticed in herself before.
“My biggest problem is dealing with trauma, trauma that I’ve had in my life,” Judge continued to Mellencamp
During the podcast episode, Judge also shared that she hadn’t even told her husband, Eddie, the news yet
In the comments section of a video clip they posted of Judge sharing her diagnosis on Instagram, many of their fellow Real Housewives stars shared their support for the star.
“I’m just one person and I thought things were black and white for me, that I grew up in a family that didn’t have a lot of empathy or love or whatever. my adult life,” Judge said during the episode.
“But after talking and experiencing everything and my emotions, I have a hard time with empathy and feeling the feelings of others,” she continued. “There’s a reason why, and I’ll share it with you [camera].’
Mellencamp reassured Judge, telling her that it was “huge” that she had this information because it is something she can be “aware” of.
“It’s not a bad thing, you can continue to use this to uplift yourself in such a positive way and also know that it’s not that you don’t have empathy, you just see things a certain way, and that’s how you are them to respond,” Mellencamp told her close friend.
In the comments section of a video clip they posted of Judge sharing her diagnosis on Instagram, many of their fellow Real Housewives stars shared their support for the star.
“I love your vulnerability,” wrote Real Housewives of New Jersey star Rachel Fuda.
Taleen Marie, a new member of Real Housewives of Dubai, wrote: ‘Love you ladies.’
DailyMail.com contacted Judge’s representatives for comment.