Emily Simpson’s son, Luke, is experiencing a challenging period due to a recent medical diagnosis, and the star of The Real Housewives of Orange County is opening up about the struggles of managing parenting while dealing with his health issues.

In the Season 19 opener, Emily revealed that her 10-year-old son Luke was diagnosed with ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder). By Episode 5, she confessed to having doubts about leaving Luke at home to join the New Orleans trip with her fellow cast members.

“I’m looking forward to visiting New Orleans, but everything with Luke has just added up to a lot,” she admitted in her confessional. “He’s so dependent on me that it feels like I’m letting him down if I go out with friends.”

“As mothers, we always carry that guilt,” she explained in the August 7 episode. “When we’re in mom-mode, we feel like a part of us is missing, but when we’re with friends being ourselves, we feel like we’re neglecting our kids. It’s a tough balance to strike.”

RELATED: Emily Simpson addresses rumors she’s divorcing Shane Simpson: “We’ve Had Challenging Things”

In a visit to Bravo HQ on July 17, Emily elaborated on managing her role on RHOC while supporting Luke. “We were dealing with Luke’s issues that were affecting everything, like simply planning a trip,” she explained in the video above. “His separation anxiety was so intense I wasn’t sure I could even leave. Plus, while I was with the other women, filmed and all, Luke constantly called and texted me.”

“It was incredibly overwhelming,” she continued. “I tried to be the best possible mom while also maintaining my identity and participating in the show. I even considered stepping back, and Shane and I discussed it. Ultimately, we agreed that avoiding the things I love wouldn’t help him cope better.”

Emily Simpson admits difficulties with Shane Simpson amid son Luke’s health problems

Emily and Shane talked about Luke’s health issues in the August 7 episode, as they worked to get more official diagnoses while in front of the cameras.

“He’s clearly on the [autism] spectrum. We don’t know where,” Emily said, as Shane pointed out they would know more in “the next week or two.”

“I’m excited about that because I feel like I don’t know what I’m doing. And I feel like I’m failing him,” Emily replied. 

But Shane tried to reassure his wife. “Well, we are in a way, but we’re trying to figure out together all that is needed for him. Every day we’re going to have to be on top of it,” he answered.

The tension between Emily and Shane was first shown in Episode 2, as the couple discussed Luke.

“Shane is a good man, and a good dad,” Emily told producers. “But I have a son that’s in crisis, and it’s like we’re not even on the same page. And I just…feel alone in that.”

Emily admitted during the Bravo HQ interview above that there was “a lot of friction” between her and Shane during Season 19 filming.

“Shane parents in a very, ‘Everything will be fine’ kind of way,” she added. “And I parent in a ‘It’s the end of the world, what are we going to do?’ And so he tells me that he does that because he’s trying to bridge the gap and bring me down a little. Where I find it frustrating [is] because I feel like he’s not taking things as seriously as he should.”

RELATED: Emily Simpson Opens Up About Clashes With Shane Amid Son’s Diagnosis: “Frustrating”

Emily Simpson gives an update on how son Luke is doing today 

Emily updated viewers during her Bravo HQ session that her son is doing “much better today” for several reasons.

“I’m not filming, so he doesn’t have that stress on him where he doesn’t know my schedule. And that’s one of the things I realize is hard for him,” she explained.

She added that her and Shane attending therapy has also helped their son.

“We’ve learned how to parent him better. We’ve implemented different things. I’ve changed my parenting style. Shane’s changed his,” she shared.

Emily Simpson opens up about sharing son Luke’s ARFID journey on RHOC

On the RHOC Season 19 premiere, Emily opened up to Gina Kirschenheiter about Luke’s health and also shared that her son might have autism. During her recent visit to Bravo HQ, Emily explained why she decided to share his story on camera. 

“It was just a very natural, organic thing for me to talk to [Gina] about,” Emily said in the video above. “So, I think maybe that’s why the conversation resonated with people. Or just because it was just a friend opening up to her best friend about a child.”

“I honestly had a lot of anxiety about sharing his story, because I want to protect him,” she added. “But I shared it because I know the Bravo fans, and they have come through so hard. You would not believe the amount of DMs, messages, that I have gotten.”

She emphasized how much she’s appreciated support from viewers.

“I’ve learned more about Luke from all the moms out there than the therapy, the doctors,” she said. “So, I just want to thank you all for doing that. Keep them coming, because I read them, and it helps so much.”

Through any struggles, don’t miss Emily revealing why she’d “never leave” her husband Shane.