Emily Simpson’s Son, 10, Diagnosed With Eating Disorder

Emily Simpson is facing an unexpected hurdle as a parent.

The Real Housewives of Orange County star shared that her 10-year-old son Luke suffers from a rare eating disorder that is affecting his health.

“Luke has always been a picky eater, but it’s gotten to a point, I would say in the last year, where he just doesn’t eat at all,” the Bravolebrity shared in a confessional during the series’ season 19 premiere on July 10. “Two months ago, I took Luke to a therapist. She told me he definitely has ARFID, which stands for avoidance/restrictive food intake disorder.”

Emily—who is also mom to daughter Annabelle, 12, and Luke’s twin Keller with husband of 15 years Shane Simpson—went on to explain how Luke senses food much differently than the average person.

“The nutritionist was explaining to me he doesn’t understand when he feels hungry,” the 49-year-old explained to Shane during an emotional chat. “Food in general disgusts him. She also asked me, ‘Is he very susceptible to smells?’ and I said, ‘Yeah. Like, we’ll walk into somebody’s house and he’ll be like, “It stinks in here.” And I’m like, ‘You can’t say that.'”