Rebecca Gibneys Transformation After Health Diagnosis

Rebecca Gibney's recent and autism diagnosis has been a 'blessing in disguise', according to a new report.

Late last month, Rebecca

A source close to the Packed to the Rafters star, 61, told Woman's Day she had gone through a 'kind of metamorphosis' following her diagnosis.

'The diagnosis was a blessing in disguise as it helped make sense of so much – it was like a weight being lifted.'

They added that it had also been a blessing to Rebecca's husband of 24 years, Richard Bell, as it helped him 'understand a great deal more about her quirks'.

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 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.