Rebecca Gibney’s recent revelation about her ADHD and autism diagnosis has been described as a ‘hidden blessing,’ according to a fresh report.

In an interview with The Australian Women’s Weekly late last month, Rebecca shared her diagnosis of ADHD and autism.

A source familiar with the 61-year-old Packed to the Rafters actress revealed to Woman’s Day that she has experienced a ‘personal transformation’ since learning of her condition.

“Receiving the diagnosis was a blessing in disguise,” the source noted, “as it clarified so much for her—it felt like a burden was lifted.”

They further mentioned that the diagnosis has also been enlightening for Rebecca’s husband of 24 years, Richard Bell, as it allowed him to gain a deeper understanding of her unique traits.

In the wake of her diagnosis, Rebecca revealed that she was stepping away from social media, and the publication reported that it was Richard who encouraged her to take a break.

Rebecca Gibney’s recent ADHD and autism diagnosis has been a ‘blessing in disguise’ according to a new report

A source close to the Packed to the Rafters star, 61, told Woman’s Day that she had gone through a ‘kind of metamorphosis’ following her diagnosis. Rebecca is pictured with husband Richard Bell

‘Rebecca prides herself on being a survivor – and she’s done a lot of self-work rebuilding from the horrors of her past, but Richard can’t bear to see her confidence falter over a troll online,’ the source said.

Taking to Instagram earlier this month, Rebecca wrote: ‘Hello friends, it’s time for a wee break from all things SM.’

‘I’ve been spending way too much time staring at my phone looking at either bad news, products I don’t want, snippets from people’s lives that I don’t know, and apart from the funnies – which we all need – I’m finding it all a waste of very precious time,’ she continued.

Rebecca added: ‘I have stopped fully living in the present and I need to reconnect with my hubby, my dogs and myself.’

She also expressed gratitude for the positive response to her recent ADHD and autism diagnosis announcement, but addressed some of the negative comments she received.

‘Alas, there has also been a little backlash so I just wanted to say to the people that responded with ‘get over it,’ ‘it’s not cancer,’ ‘stop jumping on the bandwagon’ and ‘nobody cares’ – just a wee word of advice,’ Rebecca wrote.

‘If you don’t know the full story of someone’s life – please don’t make assumptions or fire off petty comments.’

Rebecca shared that much of her life had been marked by personal challenges.

‘The diagnosis was a blessing in disguise as it helped make sense of so much – it was like a weight being lifted,’ a source told the publication

In the wake of her diagnosis, Rebecca revealed that she was stepping away from social media, and the publication reported that it was Richard who encouraged Rebecca to take a break

‘I have lived most of my life misdiagnosed with severe anxiety (45 years of it). I was raised in a home with extreme domestic violence and I have suffered depression, so to tell someone to ‘get over it’ is really not helpful,’ she said.

‘I share my story so that it may encourage others who might be struggling to know they are not alone.’

Rebecca concluded on a hopeful and personal note: ‘So if you need me, I’ll be by a river somewhere, walking the dogs, planting veggies with my hubby and talking to the trees. Be kind to yourselves and others. And I’ll see you soon. Ish.’

It came one week after Rebecca revealed to The Australian Woman’s Weekly that she had been diagnosed with ADHD and autism. 

ADHD is a behavioural condition defined by inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness, while autism affects how a person communicates, interacts with others, behaves and processes information.

Autism is considered a ‘spectrum’ because the severity varies among individuals.

‘It’s been hard. It’s been very emotional. I’ve cried a lot more in the last few months than I’ve cried in a long time, which I thought I’d gotten over as a woman over 60. I was like, ‘No, I’ve got all that stuff sorted’,’ the Millionaire Hot Seat host said.

Rebecca found out about her condition while speaking to a psychologist due to struggles she faced after Dancing With The Stars earlier this year.

‘Rebecca prides herself on being a survivor – and she’s done a lot of self-work rebuilding from the horrors of her past, but Richard can’t bear to see her confidence falter over a troll online,’ the source said

‘I’m still coming to terms with it because it’s answered a lot of questions from my past – my panic attacks, my years of masking, which started obviously at a very early age,’ she confessed.

‘Masking’ is when someone with ADHD or autism hides their natural behaviours and traits to fit in with others.

Rebecca is one of many Australian celebrities who have recently been diagnosed with ADHD later in life.

Mamamia co-founder Mia Freedman received her ADHD diagnosis at age 49, while actress Sigrid Thornton found out she had the same condition at 65.

Media personality Em Rusciano was diagnosed with ADHD and autism at age 43, while feminist author Clementine Ford discovered she had ADHD at 41.