‘RHOC’ Star Emily Simpson Shares 10-Year-Old Son Has Rare Eating Disorder

"The Real Housewives of Orange County" star Emily Simpson is opening up about a deeply personal and emotional journey.

In a new interview, Emily Simpson revealed her 10-year-old son Luke's recent diagnosis with a rare eating disorder.

The Bravo personality revealed that Luke has been diagnosed with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), a complex condition that goes far beyond typical picky eating.

“He only eats a few different foods and he’s very overwhelmed by texture, color, smells,” Simpson explained to PEOPLE. “He will only eat white rice. And he has to inspect each piece of rice before he eats it. So it’s beyond picky eating. A lot of control issues. It’s very overwhelming.”

Emily shared that for a long time, she believed her son was simply a selective eater, until the signs pointed to something far more serious. “He would cry and tell me he was starving, because he was, but he’d still refuse to eat anything I offered,” she said. “As a mom, that was so frustrating. I didn’t know what to do.”

According to the Cleveland Clinic, ARFID is an eating disorder that causes someone to avoid food due to fears of choking, vomiting, or extreme sensitivity to food color, texture, or smell. It can severely limit nutritional intake and lead to malnourishment or other health concerns. Treatment options often include cognitive behavioral therapy and medications such as antidepressants or appetite stimulants.

Emily admitted that each day remains a challenge, but she’s learned to see the world through Luke’s eyes. “Smells are extremely overwhelming for him. Color is overwhelming for him. Textures of food are overwhelming and make him gag,” she shared. “So I have to constantly remind myself that he doesn’t operate neurologically like we do.”

She also took to Instagram after the PEOPLE article was published, thanking fans for their outpouring of support.

"First, thank you so much for your support, kindness and love regarding Luke," she began. "This was by far my most difficult season filming 'RHOC' I’ve ever had, and there were multiple times I felt that it was in Luke’s best interest for me to quit."

"My reason for continuing on and navigating this truly challenging time (in real time and on camera) was because I knew I’d get more answers, support and feedback than any therapist or doctor could provide," she continued. "The Bravo fans are incredible and caring people, and I wasn’t wrong!"

Emily then encouraged others to talk to their children about embracing differences and showing compassion. “Please talk to your children about being kind to the kids who might be a little different,” she added.

In a vulnerable confessional during the July 10 episode of "The Real Housewives of Orange County," Emily Simpson revealed just how severe her son Luke’s eating challenges have become.

“Luke has always been a picky eater,” Emily explained, “but it got to the point over the last year where he doesn’t eat at all.”

Two months prior to filming, the Bravo star took Luke to a therapist in hopes of getting answers. It was then that she learned he “definitely” has ARFID.

“The nutritionist explained to me that he doesn’t understand the feeling of hunger,” Emily told her husband, Shane, during a heartfelt conversation. “Food, in general, disgusts him.”

Shane added that while they continue to offer Luke food, they don’t force it.

Emily went on to describe how Luke is highly sensitive to smells and textures and simply doesn’t process the act of eating the way others do. “The problem with him not eating anything is that I know he gets low energy,” she said. “It affects his mood, but then he doesn’t make that connection.”

The journey is ongoing, but Emily’s bravery in sharing her family’s reality has resonated deeply with fans.