OPEN & HONEST

Reality Star Reveals 10-Year-Old Son’s Eating Disorder Diagnosis

“There were so many times when he would say he was starving…because he was.”

Emily Simpson, a Real Housewives of Orange County star, opened up about her 10-year-old son Luke’s recent diagnosis. In a candid interview that challenged ongoing taboos surrounding boys and eating disorders, the reality star and mother of five talked to People about the challenges that come along with caring for a child with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, commonly referred to as ARFID. The mental health condition can cause individuals to avoid or restrict food based on its texture, smell, color, or fear of vomiting or choking, differentiating it from better-known eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa. “There were so many times when he would say he was starving… because he was starving. But he would refuse to eat,” said Simpson, recalling the frustration she experienced before his diagnosis as she watched her son grow overwhelmed and gag due to the color or texture of a food. Simpson, who found out about her son’s diagnosis while filming season 19 of RHOC, says that the experience was both overwhelming for her and her husband, Shane, leading the two to seek therapy and guidance on how to help their son. “There were red flags with Luke that I ignored, and I really kind of beat myself up over that—I feel like maybe there could’ve been an earlier intervention,” said Simpson, noting that her son now works with a therapist and a nutritionist.