In the Season 19 premiere of The Real Housewives of Orange County, Tamra Judge opened up about her emotional struggles during a therapy session that aired Thursday, July 10. The scene also revisited a controversy that has followed her since late 2024, when she claimed she was “on the spectrum” after a single therapy session, without receiving a formal diagnosis.
“I’ve been crying since last week’s session,” Tamra told her therapist during the episode. She said that four months of therapy had forced her to confront issues she had long avoided, including a custody battle with ex-husband Simon Barney, a fractured relationship with her daughter Sidney, and an absent father.
“My sensory issues are heightened, my intrusive thoughts are out of control right now,” she said, adding that she often struggles with emotional outbursts and unresolved trauma.
Her therapist suggested that some of her symptoms could appear similar to traits found in people on the autism spectrum. “There’s too many variables. It’s hard to say until you get an assessment,” the therapist noted.
In October 2024, Judge sparked public criticism when she stated on her podcast that she was “on the spectrum,” despite having no official diagnosis. The comment came after just one therapy session and was seen by many as careless and misleading. Autism spectrum disorder is a neurological and developmental condition that affects behavior, communication, and social interaction, often requiring a thorough clinical evaluation.
Addressing the backlash during the therapy session, Judge admitted, “I had gone home and went on my podcast, and I misspoke. I shouldn’t have said anything.” She added, “I just got annihilated, publicly annihilated. I had a really s—- last year.”
While her comments sparked renewed discussion among viewers, Judge claimed she had been misunderstood. “People think that I don’t have feelings,” she said. “I’m so afraid if I get close to people, they’ll turn on me. So I just keep a wall up so they don’t get close. I don’t nurture my friendships. I think my biggest struggle is trusting people. I’ve got very few people that I can really talk to.”
She also spoke about her tendency to lash out. “I just don’t want to lash out when I’m mad, even if somebody’s done me wrong,” she said. “I want to fix things.”
Whether viewers see this as a moment of reflection or another instance of misplaced self-narration, the scene has reignited skepticism over Judge’s earlier autism claim and her handling of personal topics in the public eye. Critics argue that using medical language without proper evaluation only adds to confusion and stigma, especially for conditions like autism that are widely misunderstood.
The Real Housewives of Orange County airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo.
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