‘RHOC’ Tamra Judge Wants 'To Move Forward More Privately' After 'On The Spectrum' Revelation Backlash

Tamra Judge has learned that some things are better kept private following criticism over her latest health update.

Hours after revealing she was "on the spectrum," the "Real Housewives of Orange County" star addressed the backlash she received for sharing the new diagnosis. Judge dived into her mental health and why she thought it was a good reason to be open with fans.

Although she enjoys being honest about her life and connecting with fans, the hate and criticism were too much for Tamra Judge to handle. Despite hating such labels, she admitted to being "weak" and announced she would "move forward more privately."

The Bravolebrity shared a lengthy statement on Instagram addressing the criticism she received over her "on the spectrum" announcement. Judge noted not everyone was a hater; however, the damage had already been done.

"So as much as I appreciate the amazing people who reached out, I think it's best to move forward more privately until I get to a better mental space," Judge confessed in her concluding paragraph, adding:

"My mental health is just not strong enough where I can be judged and hated on right now. Yes, I'm admitting I'm weak. And I'm okay with that right now."

Judge's emotional statement began with a reflection on what led to her new diagnosis, revealing: "I started therapy because this year had been really hard on me. I started feeling really insecure, I was having intrusive thoughts."

According to Judge, her condition was so bad that she did not want to leave her home unless she had to. "I even considered just being admitted into a mental health facility," she confessed.

Given the poor state of her mental health, Judge had a well-needed conversation with her longtime therapist and learned more about herself. The counselor explained that her sensory issues, social anxiety, and other behavioral patterns "were all signs of being on the spectrum."

"Now, 'On the spectrum' it's such a broad term. I don't really understand it fully, and my therapist told me more evaluation was needed. But when I sat down at the mic to record my podcast 15 minutes later andmy head was spinning from what she had said," Judge explained.

"I had no time to process things,or even talk to my family. I was just back at work. And I was so emotional I just blurted it out. Afterwards, my instinct was to have it removed. But I'm used to being so open with everything in my life, I thought against it," she added.

While reflecting on the consequence of her honesty, Judge noted she should have followed her initial instinct to remove her "on the spectrum" announcement. "Now, I wish I had. I just want to take people through the journey with me as I've always done," she penned.

"But I realize now I spoke too soon publicly and that processing this with such an onslaught of negative comments has been horrible. If you know me, you know I don't like to look weak or play the victim," she continued, adding:

"I also hate labels, just as much as I hate excuses. But I'm working on myself not a TV show; to be a better person for me and the people around me. This isn't some storyline. It's my real life."

Although she regrets being open about her diagnosis, Judge stressed that backlash would not make her regret her decision to start therapy. "I have past trauma that is deep and painful," she revealed, noting:

"This is something I've suppressed for 15 years. But I'm finally getting the help I need, and I'm proud of myself for that."

The Blast reported that Judge shared her health update on the latest episode of her "Two Ts In A Pod" podcast with co-host Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave. A snippet of their conversation was shared on Instagram, capturing her tearful revelation.

In the clip, Judge told Arroyave, "Well, I just did my first therapy session… Let's just say I found out something pretty big about myself that I didn't know." When her co-host asked her to spill, the "RHOC" star said: "I am on the spectrum."

Arroyave was visibly shocked by the revelation, but Judge begged her not to get emotional, saying, "Don't make me cry," with tears in her eyes. After regaining her composure, she shared more about her struggles, revealing:

"My biggest problem is working through trauma, trauma that I had in my life. I have a hard time with empathy and feeling other people's feelings."

The term "on the spectrum" refers to Autism spectrum disorder, which the National Institute of Mental Health describes as a neurological and developmental condition that affects an individual's behavioral, social, and communication patterns.