To The Internet Hecklers Who Had A Field Day With Jake Lloyd's Schizophrenia Diagnosis
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

To The Internet Hecklers Who Had A Field Day With Jake Lloyd's Schizophrenia Diagnosis

Perpetuating stigma isn't funny.

190
To The Internet Hecklers Who Had A Field Day With Jake Lloyd's Schizophrenia Diagnosis
Facebook

Civilian or celebrity, if you have a mental illness, you can't run away from it. It will not be ignored. Rather, it will track you down, wrestle you to the ground, and, potentially, even immobilize you, and steal your life. It could also cause a ripple effect on the lives of your friends and family.

Star Wars' actor Jake Lloyd -- who played Anakin Skywalker in "Episode I, The Phantom Menace"-- suffers from schizophrenia.

His demons wasted no time in tracking him down when he went off his meds early last year. On the 26th of March 2015, a police report was filed after he drove to his mother's house and physically attacked her. A few weeks later, he led the police on a high-speed car chase through Charleston, South Carolina, hitting speeds of 117 miles per hour before crashing into a bunch of trees.

Since that time, Lloyd had been held in jail for ten months and was only recentlybeing transferred to a psychiatric facility this past May.

I think this demonstrates the breakdown in our criminal justice system: how did it takeclose to a year for the courts to determine that a schizophrenic who'd gone off his medication and had committed those criminal acts during a psychotic episode needed to be transferred? Why was it not glaringly and immediately obvious that a psychiatric facility was the more appropriate rehabilitative place for him? I'm frustrated that it took so long but somewhat mollified that he's at least now receiving proper care.

The Internet thinks it's a big hilarious joke, though. In fact, most online hecklers seem positivelydelighted that Lloyd is ill and that they're provided a public forum to humiliate. The complete void of empathy was utterly gut wrenching.

In fact, there wasso much parody made of him, not only making light of a very serious illness, but they took it to the extent ofpublicly shaminghim for his mental illness.

It made me so furious that so many media outlets could be so irresponsible, cruel, and dangerous in their public messages-someof which went viral- that they'd contributed to propagating the stigma of mental illness.

The media can be cruel, and, when it comes to mental illness, the stigma remains intact.

It's the Amanda Bynes debacle all over again. Remember what happened with her? Let me remind you: she had that well-publicized mental breakdown in 2014 and was then diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Instead of being satisfied with an explanation for Bynes' bizarre and erratic behavior, the public went completely apeshit over the opportunity to mock herabout it. She quickly became the butt of cruel Internet and talk show jokes for a long time thereafter.

This kind of portrayal does so much harm, I cannot even begin to describe it. It promotes shame, secrecy, self-blame, and often prevents individuals from seeking help when they truly need it.

When was the last time you heard someone casually use the term bipolar to assign a personality trait-descriptive instead of using words like temperamental or moody?

"I don't know what's wrong with my girlfriend, she's acting so bipolar."

Or as an adjective to describe something?

'"The toaster oven usually works, but it's been freaking out lately, it's like, bipolar."

Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are legitimate diseases. They need to be respected as such.

You wouldn't treat someone with cancer that way, would you?

Haha! Look at the guy with cancer! Look at them getting sick from chemo! They're all weak and nauseous! They lost their hair. Omg, that bald lady is being so cancery, right?

I can't sit idly by while I see anyone who is mentally ill, celebrity or civilian, disparaged for being sick.

Stigmas are stigmas for a reason. The reinforcement of the popular myths around mental illness reinforces them and reaffirms them in society’s hearts and minds. It has to stop.

We can stop it.

How?

By educating ourselves, by being open-minded and inclusive, by asking how we can help.

Mental illness is not a choice; it's a disease, and those who are ill deserve just as much respect as anyone else. They are entitled to the appropriate level of care and they should not be ashamed to seek it.

I will say it again. Mental illness is a disease. I am mentally ill. I am bipolar and I am not ashamed.


A version of this essay appeared on The Mighty on April 13, 2016

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

71133
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

132921
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments