‘Star Wars’ Child Star Jake Lloyd Shares Schizophrenia Update

Jake Lloyd, well known for his position as younger Anakin Skywalker in “Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace,” has shared an replace on his ongoing journey with schizophrenia and anosognosia.

His struggles grew to become evident throughout highschool when he skilled delusions, resulting in an preliminary prognosis of bipolar dysfunction. Nevertheless, in 2008, he was precisely identified with paranoid schizophrenia, a situation that impairs one’s capacity to differentiate actuality from delusion. Tragedy struck once more in 2018 with the surprising passing of his youthful sister, Madison, which additional impacted his psychological well being.

After spending 18 months in an inpatient psychological well being facility in Southern California, the now 35-year-old not too long ago mirrored on his progress.

Presently residing in a rehabilitation middle, Jake Lloyd expressed optimism about his future and gratitude for the assist he’s obtained.

In an interview with Clayton Sandell, Jake, mentioned “I can now settle for taking up continued remedy, and remedy, and my meds. Everybody’s been very supportive.” He described his expertise with medicine as stabilizing, sharing, “I don’t have the time for feeling risky. It is extremely a lot a cushion.”

Jake additionally spoke fondly of the “Star Wars” fanbase, describing their assist as therapeutic. “The expertise I’ve had with the followers is instantly therapeutic. Proper now, it’s nonetheless therapeutic. It’s useful for folks and wholesome. It isn’t one thing I’d draw back from.”

Regardless of the challenges, Jake maintains constructive reminiscences from filming “The Phantom Menace.” “I actually do admire the time that’s been taken on us. I’m very appreciative.”

After his keep within the inpatient program, Jake’s mom, Lisa Lloyd, observed vital enhancements. “He’s referring to folks higher and turning into somewhat bit extra social, which is very nice. It’s form of like having extra of the outdated Jake again, as a result of he has at all times been extremely social till he grew to become schizophrenic.”

Lisa additionally shared her insights in the course of the interview. “Jake’s truly getting so a lot better than he was. It’s a giant aid for me and the remainder of his household. We’re all simply thrilled that he’s doing in addition to he’s, and that he’s working actually arduous at it.”

Lisa recalled the early indicators of Jake’s struggles throughout his highschool years. “He began speaking about ‘realities.’ He didn’t know if he was on this actuality or a special actuality. I didn’t actually know precisely what to say to that.”

He was taken to a physician who suspected Jake had bipolar dysfunction and prescribed varied medicines. Nevertheless, he confronted difficulties after leaving residence to attend Columbia Faculty Chicago and finally withdrew in 2008, returning to Indiana to reside together with his mom.

In March of final yr, Lisa addressed hypothesis that her son stop performing as a result of unfavorable reception of “The Phantom Menace.” She clarified that his 2008 schizophrenia prognosis performed a major position in his resolution to step away from the highlight.

“It will have occurred anyway,” Lisa mentioned. “I imagine that it was genetic. And his psychiatrist additionally agrees that Jake was going to turn out to be schizophrenic.”

“I protected him from the [‘The Phantom Menace’] backlash,” she continued. “He was simply driving his bike outdoors, enjoying together with his associates. He didn’t know. He didn’t care. All people makes such a giant deal about that. And it’s moderately annoying to me as a result of Jake was somewhat child when that got here out, and he didn’t actually really feel all that stuff as a result of I didn’t let him on-line.”

Jake was identified with schizophrenia in 2016 following a 10-month jail stint. In early 2024, Lisa revealed that Jake had been admitted to a psychological well being rehabilitation facility in March 2023 after experiencing a psychotic break.

Alongside schizophrenia, Jake was identified with anosognosia, a neurological situation that impacts an individual’s capacity to acknowledge their sickness. Based on the Cleveland Clinic, this typically leads sufferers to keep away from or resist remedy.

Now, Jake finds solace in “Star Wars” as soon as once more, expressing his love for newer installments within the franchise, together with “Star Wars: Ahsoka” on Disney+.

Whereas the highway has been lengthy and difficult, Jake Lloyd’s openness about his psychological well being journey affords hope and sheds mild on the significance of remedy, remedy, and the unwavering assist of family members.