Jake Lloyd Talks Psychological Well being, Reconnecting with Star Wars

Star Wars’ return to theaters in 1999 with Phantom Menace launched audiences to Jake Lloyd, who performed the younger Anakin Skywalker. Whereas Hayden Christensen would play the character in later appearnaces, Lloyd ultimately pale from the general public eye. That modified when last March, he and his mom Lisa revealed he’d been in rehab for almost a yr after struggling a psychotic break and was diagoned with paranoid schizophrenia.

Since then, Lloyd has “accepted taking over continued remedy, and remedy, and my meds,” he mentioned in a current interview with Clayton Sandell. Having not too long ago accomplished his 18-month rehab stint, the actor mentioned he’s been in a position to acknowledge his schizophrenia analysis. For years, Lloyd had anosognosia, a neurological situation that made him unknowingly deny his signs. Hitting such a low level has allowed “good issues” to occur, he continued, akin to “truthfully collaborating in remedy, my meds, and residing with my analysis.”

Previous to final yr, the final assumption was the cruel criticism Lloyd obtained after Phantom’s launch contributed to his breakdown, just like how backlash in opposition to Jar Jar Binks again then almost drove Ahmed Best to suicide. On the time, his mom refuted these claims, and revealed her son’s paternal facet had a historical past of schizophrenia. For her and the remainder of his household, Lloyd’s enchancment is a “huge aid. He’s getting so significantly better than he was,” added Lisa Lloyd. “We’re all simply thrilled that he’s doing in addition to he’s, and that he’s working actually laborious at it.”

Total, Lloyd says he’s feeling “fairly good” these days, and mentioned he was tremendously appreciative of the fan help he’s obtained over the previous yr. Public appearances are at present off the desk, but it surely appears like he nonetheless holds affection for Star Wars: he advised Sandell he’s not too long ago watched Ahsoka and put time into Star Wars: The Previous Republic and the unique Power Unleashed, and is trying to play the sequel. And whereas he hasn’t watched any of the current motion pictures, he mentioned he’s “holding out for Could the Fourth with my mother.”

Sandell’s full story with Jake Lloyd will be learn here.

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