Robert Carradine of “Lizzie McGuire” and “Revenge of the Nerds” dies at age 71
Robert Carradine, best known for his roles as Lewis in Revenge of the Nerds and Sam in Lizzie McGuire, has died at the age of 71 after suffering from bipolar disorder.
Robert Carradine, star of “Lizzie McGuire,” died after a long battle with mental illness, the actor’s family announced.
Carradine, known for his roles on the Disney Channel sitcom and classic sitcom “Revenge of the Nerds,” has died by suicide at the age of 71, Carradine’s brother, “Nashville” actor Keith Carradine, confirmed in a statement to USA TODAY on February 24.
Keith Carradine said: “We are saddened by the loss of this beautiful soul and would like to pay tribute to Bobby’s brave fight against bipolar disorder, which lasted nearly 20 years.” “We hope his journey can shine a light and encourage us to tackle the stigma around mental illness.”
Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, is defined by the National Institute of Mental Health as a mental illness that causes abnormal changes in a person’s mood, energy, activity level, and concentration.
According to NIMH, an estimated 4.4% of U.S. adults experience this condition at some point in their lives, totaling approximately 11.3 million people.
Over the years, several celebrities have spoken out about their experiences with bipolar disorder, from “Star Wars” actress Carrie Fisher and rapper Kanye “Ye” West to Disney Channel alum Selena Gomez and pop singer Halsey.
There are three types of bipolar disorder: bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, and cyclothymia, each with different symptoms.
Bipolar disorder I is defined by manic episodes lasting at least 1 week. A manic episode is described as a prolonged period of mood instability in which a person may experience an extreme increase in energy or euphoria, or may become depressed or unusually irritable.
As for the causes of mental health conditions, bipolar disorder appears to be a byproduct of “both genetic and environmental factors,” Robert Beach, a psychiatrist at Yale School of Medicine, previously told USA TODAY.
On the genetic side, chemical imbalances in the brain and family history of the disease may contribute to the development of this disorder. Environmental factors include childhood trauma, substance abuse, chronic stress, and changes in climate.
Experts say if you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms that may be related to bipolar disorder, you should consult a mental health professional. There are a variety of treatments, mood stabilizers, and strategies that are known to help.
Contributor: Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY
If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call 988 or chat online at any time of the day or night. The Crisis Text Line also provides free 24/7 confidential support via text message when people in crisis dial 741741.
