Star Wars Episode I – The Phantom Menace Child actor Jake Lloyd has opened up about his mental health struggles and ultimately accepted a diagnosis of schizophrenia.
actor Conversation with author Clayton Sandelco-author star wars timelineand his mother, Lisa Lloyd. The conversation took place shortly after Mr. Lloyd entered a mental health rehabilitation facility for 18 months after a full-scale “psychiatric break” in March 2023, during which time Mr. Lloyd was admitted to a three-lane road in Southern California. I turned off the car in the middle of the road. .
“Jake started having problems in high school,” Lisa Lloyd said. scripps news “He started talking about ‘reality’. He didn’t know if he was in this reality or another. He didn’t really know what to say to that exactly. did.”
Sandel said the Anakin Skywalker actor finished his stint at the facility a few weeks ago and is now living in a new rehabilitation center, where he is still undergoing treatment but can come and go as he pleases.
Lloyd’s anosognosia prevented him from even acknowledging his schizophrenia diagnosis for years, his mother said. A neurological condition is one in which someone’s brain is “unable to recognize one or more other health conditions you have.” According to the Cleveland Clinic. Now he has overcome the symptoms and can better understand why it is important to take the medication.
When the author asked him how he was feeling, he replied, “Considering that 20 years have passed, I feel very good.” I am now able to accept ongoing treatment, therapy, and medication. Everyone was very cooperative. ”
His mother admitted it may have felt that way at times, although she said it had been less than 20 years since he was diagnosed. of star wars Although the actors were coherent and eager to tell their stories, Sandel noted that they mixed up some words or went off the rails. His mother explained that it happens when he is tired.
When describing how she feels while taking the medication, Lloyd said: It’s really a cushion. ”
Looking back on his life now at age 35, the former actor can share that treatment has brought “good things” after hitting what he called “rock bottom.” He added that this was necessary in order for him to learn to “participate honestly in treatment, take medicine honestly, and live honestly with a diagnosis.”
Lloyd was cast to play Anakin at the age of eight. The film was released in 1999, but his portrayal was not always well-received. phantom menace.
For years, people speculated that the backlash may have contributed to his mental health issues, but his mother said: scrip news Last year, that wasn’t the case, and he revealed that there was a history of schizophrenia on his father’s side of the family. On the contrary, Lloyd actually star wars He called his experience with fans “instant therapy.”
