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 finally pale from the general public eye. That modified when final March, he and his mom Lisa revealed he’d been in rehab for almost a 12 months 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 latest interview with Clayton Sandell. Having lately accomplished his 18-month rehab stint, the actor mentioned he’s been in a position to acknowledge his schizophrenia prognosis. 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, resembling “truthfully participating in remedy, my meds, and dwelling with my prognosis.”

Previous to final 12 months, the overall 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 Greatest 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 “large aid. He’s getting so a lot 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 exhausting at it.”

General, Lloyd says he’s feeling “fairly good” these days, and mentioned he was enormously appreciative of the fan assist he’s obtained over the previous 12 months. Public appearances are at present off the desk, nevertheless it feels like he nonetheless holds affection for Star Wars: he advised Sandell he’s lately watched Ahsoka and put time into Star Wars: The Previous Republic and the unique Pressure Unleashed, and is seeking to play the sequel. And whereas he hasn’t watched any of the latest films, he mentioned he’s “holding out for Could the Fourth with my mother.”

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

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