‘Star Wars’ Child Star Jake Lloyd Shares Schizophrenia Update

Jake Lloyd, widely known for his function 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 analysis of bipolar dysfunction. Nonetheless, in 2008, he was precisely recognized with paranoid schizophrenia, a situation that impairs one’s potential to differentiate actuality from delusion. Tragedy struck once more in 2018 with the sudden 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 just lately mirrored on his progress.

At present residing in a rehabilitation heart, Jake Lloyd expressed optimism about his future and gratitude for the help he’s obtained.

In an interview with Clayton Sandell, Jake, stated “I can now settle for taking over continued therapy, 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 unstable. It is extremely a lot a cushion.”

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

Regardless of the challenges, Jake maintains optimistic recollections from filming “The Phantom Menace.” “I actually do respect 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 important enhancements. “He’s referring to individuals higher and turning into a bit of 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 It’s form of like having extra of the outdated Jake again, as a result of he has at all times been extremely social till he grew to become schizophrenic.”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 through the interview. “Jake’s really getting so a lot better than he was. It’s an enormous 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 onerous 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 unique actuality. I didn’t actually know precisely what to say to that.”

He was taken to a health care provider who suspected Jake had bipolar dysfunction and prescribed numerous medicines. Nonetheless, he confronted difficulties after leaving dwelling to attend Columbia Faculty Chicago and in the end withdrew in 2008, returning to Indiana to reside together with his mom.

In March of final yr, Lisa addressed hypothesis that her son stop appearing because of the adverse reception of “The Phantom Menace.” She clarified that his 2008 schizophrenia analysis performed a major function in his determination to step away from the highlight.

“It could have occurred anyway,” Lisa stated. “I imagine that it was genetic. And his psychiatrist additionally agrees that Jake was going to turn into schizophrenic.”

“I protected him from the [‘The Phantom Menace’] backlash,” she continued. “He was simply using his bike outdoors, taking part in together with his pals. He didn’t know. He didn’t care. All people makes such an enormous deal about that. And it’s quite annoying to me as a result of Jake was a bit of 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 recognized 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 recognized with anosognosia, a neurological situation that impacts an individual’s potential to acknowledge their sickness. In response to the Cleveland Clinic, this usually leads sufferers to keep away from or resist therapy.

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 presents hope and sheds mild on the significance of therapy, remedy, and the unwavering help of family members.