Former youngster actor Jake Lloyd, who performed younger Anakin Skywalker in 1999’s “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace,” shared a optimistic psychological well being replace after being recognized with schizophrenia.
Throughout an interview with “Star Wars: Timelines” co-author Clayton Sandell, Lloyd, now 35, and his mom Lisa Lloyd mentioned his progress after he lately accomplished an 18-month keep at an inpatient psychological well being facility in Southern California.
Whereas talking with Sandell beforehand for an article in Scripps Information, Lisa shared that Lloyd entered therapy after experiencing a “full-blown psychotic break” throughout which he turned his automobile off on a three-lane street in March 2023.
In accordance with Sandell, Lloyd is at present dwelling in a brand new rehabilitation middle the place he’s persevering with to obtain therapy however has the liberty to come back and go at will. Throughout their dialog, Lloyd informed Sandell that he was feeling “pretty good.”
“I can now accept taking on continued treatment, and therapy, and my meds,” he stated. “Everyone’s been very supportive.”
As well as to schizophrenia, Lisa beforehand informed Sandell that Lloyd additionally has a neurological situation often called anosognosia, which, in keeping with the Nationwide Institute of Well being, “is a neurological condition in which the patient is unaware of their neurological deficit or psychiatric condition.”
Lisa stated Lloyd’s situation stopped him from eager to take remedy as a result of he didn’t imagine he was sick.
Whereas talking with Sanell, Lloyd described his remedy as “very much a cushion.”
“I don’t have the time for feeling volatile,” he stated.
The previous actor went on to say that “good things” have come from the time he has spent in therapy.
Lloyd informed Sandell that he believed hitting “rock bottom” was obligatory to be able to “honestly take part in treatment, honestly take your meds, and honestly live with your diagnosis.”
Lisa beforehand shared that LLoyd had struggled along with his psychological well being since he was in highschool. She informed Sandell that she was optimistic concerning the progress that he had made since receiving his prognosis and starting therapy.
“Jake’s actually getting so much better than he was,” she stated. “It’s a big relief for me and the rest of his family. We’re all just thrilled that he’s doing as well as he is, and that he’s working really hard at it. We appreciate that.”
Lloyd rose to worldwide fame on the age of 8 when George Lucas solid him as Anakin in “The Phantom Menace.”
Previous to showing within the “Star Wars” film, Jake made his performing debut alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger within the 1996 vacation movie, “Jingle All the Way.”
Earlier than retiring from performing in 2001, Lloyd’s final on-screen function was within the sports activities drama “Madison,” by which he starred reverse Jim Caviezel.
Throughout her interview for Scripps Information, Lisa clarified that Lloyd starring in “The Phantom Menace” as a baby didn’t immediate him to stroll away from performing or contribute to his psychological well being points.
“It would have happened anyway,” Lisa stated, sharing that there was a historical past of schizophrenia on his father’s aspect of the household.
She added, “I believe that it was genetic. And his psychiatrist also agrees that Jake was going to become schizophrenic.”
Lisa additionally famous that when the “Star Wars” movie acquired backlash after its launch in 1999, she shielded any negativity from her son.
“I protected him from the backlash. He was just riding his bike outside, playing with his friends. He didn’t know. He didn’t care,” she stated. “Everybody makes such a big deal about that. And it’s rather annoying to me because Jake was a little kid when that came out, and he didn’t really feel all that stuff because I didn’t let him online.”
Lloyd informed Sandell that he’s a fan of the “Star Wars” franchise and fondly remembers his time making “The Phantom Menace.”
He stated that he has lately performed the traditional “Star Wars” video video games “Star Wars: The Old Republic” and “Star Wars: The Force Unleashed.”
“I want to play The Force Unleashed II,” he tells me. “I simply beat the primary one.
Lloyd stated that he hasn’t watched any “Star Wars” motion pictures or TV reveals these days however added that he plans to atone for a special occasion marked by followers of the franchise worldwide.
“I’m holding out for May the Fourth with my mom,” he stated.
Although Lloyd now not attends “Star Wars” conventions, he stated that his experiences with followers are “immediately therapeutic.”
“Right now, it’s still therapeutic,” he added. “It’s helpful for people and healthy. It isn’t something I’d shy away from.”
Lloyd additionally expressed his gratitude for followers’ continued help amid his well being struggles.
“I really do appreciate the time that’s been taken on us,” he stated. “I’m very appreciative.”
Fox Information Digital’s Janelle Ash contributed to this report.
