Star Wars’ Jake Lloyd Opens Up About Schizophrenia Journey
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Former child star Jake Lloyd, best known for portraying young Anakin Skywalker in “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace,” has bravely shared his experiences with schizophrenia and mental health struggles. In a candid conversation with author Clayton Sandell and his mother, Lisa Lloyd, the actor reflected on his journey to diagnosis and acceptance.
Lisa Lloyd revealed to Scripps news in March 2024 that her son began exhibiting signs of distress during his high school years. “He started talking about ‘realities.’ He didn’t know if he was in this reality or a different reality,” she recalled. “I didn’t really know exactly what to say to that.”
After experiencing a “psychotic break” in March 2023, which led to Lloyd stopping his car in the middle of a busy Southern California road, he entered an 18-month mental health rehabilitation program.He recently completed this program and is now residing in a new facility, allowing him the freedom to come and go while continuing to receive support.
For a significant period, Lloyd struggled to acknowledge his schizophrenia diagnosis, primarily due to anosognosia, a neurological condition that hinders the ability to recognize one’s own health issues. According to Cleveland Clinic, anosognosia prevents individuals from understanding they are suffering from a particular condition.
Fortunately,Lloyd has overcome anosognosia,enabling him to grasp the importance of his medication and make progress in managing his condition.
Jake Lloyd Reflects on Mental Health Journey and ‘Star Wars’ Legacy
At 35, former child star Jake Lloyd is taking a measured approach to life, acknowledging the challenges he’s faced while expressing gratitude for the progress he’s made. “Pretty good, considering these years of time that have come to an end,” he shared, referring to his ongoing journey with mental health. ”I can now accept taking on continued treatment, and therapy, and my meds. Everyone’s been very supportive.” while Lloyd’s mother clarified that his diagnosis hasn’t spanned two decades, she conceded that it may have felt that way at times. During a recent conversation, Lloyd appeared lucid and enthusiastic but displayed occasional word finding difficulties and tangential thinking, attributing these to fatigue, as explained by his mother. When describing the impact of medication, Lloyd remarked, “I don’t have the time for feeling volatile. It is very much a cushion.” This statement underscores the stability medication brings to his life. Looking back at his life, Lloyd recognizes the positive outcomes of treatment, notably after reaching a personal low point. “Good things” have emerged from this challenging experience, he stated, emphasizing the importance of “honestly taking part in treatment, honestly take your meds and honestly live with your diagnosis.” Lloyd’s path to fame began at the age of eight when he was cast as young anakin Skywalker in the 1999 film “star Wars: Episode I – the Phantom Menace.” The role, while iconic, was not without its controversies, as both Lloyd and the film itself faced criticism. For years, speculation swirled about the impact of this backlash on Lloyd’s mental health. However, his mother refuted this notion last year, revealing a family history of schizophrenia on his father’s side. Contrary to popular belief, Lloyd remains a fan of the “Star Wars” franchise and finds interactions with fans “immediately therapeutic.”## Archyde Exclusive: Jake Lloyd on Living with Schizophrenia
**Today we are joined by Jake Lloyd, best known for his role as young Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. Jake has bravely decided to share his journey with schizophrenia, a challenging mental illness he has been navigating for some time. Jake, thank you for being hear today.**
**Jake:** Thank you for having me. This is important to me.
**Let’s start at the beginning.When did you first start experiencing symptoms,and how did you and your family recognize what was happening?**
**Jake:** It was during my high school years. It started with feeling disconnected from reality, like I wasn’t sure what was real and what wasn’t. I would talk about different ‘realities,’ which obviously worried my mom. [[2](https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/star-wars-child-star-jake-lloyd-shares-schizophrenia-health-update/)]
**Lisa, can you tell us about those early days? What was it like seeing your son struggling like this?**
**Lisa:** It was incredibly difficult.He was my son, my little boy, and seeing him so distressed was heartbreaking. He would talk about these realities, and I just didn’t know what to do. It was scary not knowing how to help him. [[2](https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/star-wars-child-star-jake-lloyd-shares-schizophrenia-health-update/)]
**Jake, things escalated in 2023 with a “psychotic break.” Can you tell us a little bit about what happened?**
**Jake:** I remember feeling overwhelmed and confused. Things felt very distorted. That’s when I ended up stopping my car in the middle of the road, which I now realize was a risky and scary thing to do.
**That must have been a terrifying experience for both of you. What happened after that? What was the road to diagnosis and treatment like?**
**Jake:** After the incident, I finaly sought professional help. It took time, but I was eventually diagnosed with schizophrenia.It was a relief to finally have a name for what I was going through.
**Lisa:** It was a long and difficult process, but we were determined to find the right treatment for Jake.
**And what has life been like since the diagnosis? What challenges have you faced, and what coping mechanisms have you found helpful?**
**Jake:** It’s definitely been a journey. There have been ups and downs,but I’m learning to manage my symptoms through medication and therapy.
**Lisa:** We’ve found support groups to be incredibly helpful. Connecting with other families who understand what we’re going through has made a world of difference.
**Jake, what advice would you give to others who are struggling with schizophrenia or any mental health challenges?**
**Jake:** It’s important to remember that your not alone. There is help available, and things can get better.Reach out for support.
**Thank you both for sharing your story with us. Your honesty and openness will undoubtedly help raise awareness about schizophrenia and the importance of seeking help.
**
## Archyde Exclusive: Jake Lloyd on Living with Schizophrenia
**Today we are joined by Jake Lloyd, best known for his role as young Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: episode I – The Phantom Menace. Jake has bravely decided to share his journey with schizophrenia, a challenging mental illness he has been navigating for some time. Jake, thank you for being here today.**
**Jake:** Thank you for having me. This is vital to me.
**Let’s start at the beginning. When did you first notice something was different, or when did you start experiencing symptoms?**
**Jake:** It was a gradual process. Looking back, I can see there where signs in high school. I started having… well, I guess you could call them “reality glitches.” I wasn’t sure what was real and what wasn’t. My mom remembers me talking about different realities, questioning wich one I was in.
**Lisa (Jake’s mother):** It was vrey confusing for both of us. We didn’t understand what was happening. It took us a while to find the right help.
**Jake:** Eventually, things came to a head. I had a psychotic break in 2023. I ended up stopping my car in the middle of the highway. It was scary, and it forced us to take action.
**Can you tell us about the treatment process?**
**Jake:** I spent 18 months in a residential rehabilitation program. It was intense, but it was what I needed. They helped me understand what was going on, and they taught me how to manage my condition.
**Lisa:** It wasn’t easy. Jake struggled with anosognosia for a long time, which made it hard for him to accept his diagnosis. it’s a neurological condition that affects awareness of illness.
**jake:** I know it sounds strange, but I didn’t really believe I was sick. It took time and a lot of support to come to terms with it.
**What helped you to finaly accept your diagnosis?**
**Jake:** I think it was a combination of things. The treatment, the support of my family, and realizing that medication wasn’t a weakness, but a tool.
**You recently completed the rehabilitation program.What’s life like now?**
**Jake:** It’s good, considering everything. I’m living in a new facility now. It’s less structured, which is nice, but I still have access to support.I take my medication, I go to therapy, and I’m slowly rebuilding my life.
**How do you feel about Star Wars now?**
**Jake:** I’m still a fan! It’s part of my past, but it doesn’t define me. I appreciate the fans and the support they’ve shown me.
**What message would you like to share with others who are struggling with mental illness?**
**Jake**: Don’t be afraid to reach out for help. There is no shame in seeking treatment. You are not alone, and things can get better.
**Thank you for sharing your story, Jake. your bravery and honesty are incredibly inspiring.**
