‘Star Wars’ Child Actor Jake Lloyd is Feeling ‘Pretty Good’ About His Mental Health 17 Years After Schizophrenia Diagnosis: ‘Everyone’s Been Very Supportive’

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Jake Lloyd, who played the rebellious young Anakin Skywalker on the brink of becoming a padawan in “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace,” has spoken publicly about his battle with schizophrenia, which led him to retreat from acting not long after the movie’s release in 1999.

As a passionate cinephile, I’ve recently emerged from an 18-month sojourn at a mental health facility nestled in the heart of Southern California. Today, I find myself feeling remarkably well, a testament to resilience and the healing power of time. While I continue my recovery journey under the watchful eye of another treatment center, I am grateful for the newfound freedom it affords me – the ability to move about as I see fit, a privilege I cherish deeply.

[Lloyd mentioned he’s] doing quite well, given the two decades that have passed, as they draw to a close,” he stated. “I’m prepared to carry on with additional care, including treatments, counseling, and medication. The support from everyone has been tremendous.

Lloyd underscored the fact that beneficial outcomes have stemmed from his stint in rehab. Despite reaching a point where he felt he’d hit “absolute lows,” he believes it was crucial to fully commit to therapy, follow prescribed medication diligently, and embrace his condition honestly.

The child actor stated that he doesn’t have the luxury of experiencing emotional instability, regarding his medication. Instead, he referred to it as a supportive shield.

Last March, Lloyd’s mom, Lisa, clarified that it wasn’t the negative response to “The Phantom Menace” movie which led Lloyd to stop acting. Instead, she attributed his departure from acting to his 2008 diagnosis of schizophrenia as one of the factors involved.

Lisa remarked, “Regardless of our actions, it would’ve turned out this way.” She’s convinced that his mental condition was inherited. Even Jake’s psychiatrist concurs that Jake’s schizophrenia was inevitable.

She added, “I shielded him from the criticism surrounding ‘The Phantom Menace.’ At the time, he was simply enjoying a bike ride with friends, unaware of it. People overreact to these things, and it gets tiresome. Frankly, I find it frustrating because Jake was still a child when it was released, and he wasn’t exposed to all that online drama because I kept him off the internet.

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2025-01-05 21:46