Lark Voorhies suffering from bipolar disorder - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

jayman75 · 10-03-2012, 03:17 PM

Just read this on Yahoo... so sad to hear...

http://tv.yahoo.com/news/%E2%80%98sa...er-mother.html

Last spring, Lark Voorhies appeared on Yahoo!’s series “The Yo Show” (video available on link above) to reminisce about her days on the ’90s Saturday-morning sitcom “Saved By the Bell.” She looked drastically different from how we remembered little Lisa Turtle – her hair was dyed red and she had on heavy makeup – starting rumors of all sorts. Sparked by that appearance, People magazine conducted a series of interviews with the actress, and in their new issue they report on Lark’s “sad spiral,” which the actress’ mother attributes to mental illness.

People reports that during a recent photo shoot with the 38-year-old actress, her “once-sparkling brown eyes” were “disturbingly vacant.” Lark kept a “near-constant dialogue – by turns mournful, frenetic, and angry – with unseen figures,” and struggled “to focus for even brief moments.” Although Lark denied to the magazine that she suffers from mental illness – the devout Jehovah’s Witness answered the question by saying, “Oh no. We’re alive in a major time of all-in-all prophecy” – her mother, who lives with her and was also interviewed for the story, said the former child star has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, for which she has been prescribed medication.

“I care deeply about my daughter and I want her to resume her life,” her mother, Tricia, told People. However, she noted that finding the right treatment – and getting Lark’s cooperation in following through with it – has been “frustrating.”

While Lark herself didn’t admit to mental illness, the actress – who had to schedule a second interview with the magazine after struggling through the first one – told People she has been in a constant battle with herself. “We met at a very powerful moment – it’s like carrying on the interview in a hurricane,” she said. She tried to explain away her abrupt, extended silences during the conversation by saying, “You caught me in moments of prayer. I have a strong spiritual sense.” She also talked about the voices in her head, but the magazine noted that she was “defiant about getting psychiatric help.” Explaining her reasoning, Lark said, “They can’t explain it. They can’t treat it. They don’t know about it.”

Tricia told People that her daughter’s mental health issues stem from various traumatic incidents in her life, but she wouldn’t elaborate. “I don’t want to go there,” she said. She did say that Lark’s stalled career after “Saved by the Bell” ended in 1993 caused “a lot of stress,” and her divorce from Miguel Coleman in 2001 “caused a kind of break. … The trauma was back.” These days, Lark resides with her mother; drives, but only close to home; and has few friends. Tricia says she’s not giving up hope that her daughter will pull through, noting, "She's trying so hard. She says she's delayed, but she's going to get there."

gidgetgrape · 10-03-2012, 04:59 PM

Sorry to hear this and wish her the best.

Big3sCompanyFan · 10-03-2012, 06:05 PM

Whoa!

I had no idea Saved By the Bell went on so long and had a whole new cast.

cleverfun3000 · 10-03-2012, 06:52 PM

While I am so sorry to hear about her plight, this is a perfect example of why I do not in any way seek information about an entertainers' personal life. I prefer to enjoy the art that they created when they were at the top of their game than hear about the tragedies that befall them after the cameras stop rolling. I will remember Lark only as she was on "Saved by the Bell" and "In the House"

Big3sCompanyFan · 10-03-2012, 07:23 PM

Anyone got a pic of what she looks like now with red hair or whatever?

jayman75 · 10-03-2012, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big3sCompanyFan

Anyone got a pic of what she looks like now with red hair or whatever?

Why do you want to see the picture? It's clear she is troubled, and doesn't need anymore publicity. She needs good treatment... Soon.

Big3sCompanyFan · 10-03-2012, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayman75

Why do you want to see the picture? It's clear she is troubled, and doesn't need anymore publicity. She needs good treatment... Soon.

The same reason why anyone posts a pic on the internet! People are curious!

Schmoopie · 10-04-2012, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cleverfun3000

While I am so sorry to hear about her plight, this is a perfect example of why I do not in any way seek information about an entertainers' personal life. I prefer to enjoy the art that they created when they were at the top of their game than hear about the tragedies that befall them after the cameras stop rolling. I will remember Lark only as she was on "Saved by the Bell" and "In the House"

I'm the same way. I hate hearing things about my favorite celebrities that I'd be better off not knowing. Although I do find it interesting knowing what 'favorites' my favorite celebrities have, like movies and so forth. Makes them seem more "human" if you will. That being said, I am sorry to hear that she's not doing well. She's a great actress and I loved her on SBTB.

PrettyinPink55 · 10-08-2012, 09:43 PM

I was very sad to hear this.

I really hope she gets the help she needs!!!

catlover79 · 10-14-2012, 04:57 PM

I wish Lark nothing but the best in her fight against bipolar disorder.

Fuffer · 10-19-2012, 05:42 PM

Sorry to hear this news about Lark. I wish her the best in getting treating for her Bipolar Disorder.

Topanga96 · 10-26-2012, 08:30 PM

This is just awful news. Lark seemed to really like a nice person. Hope she seeks treatment and gets all better.

julian bozo · 10-29-2012, 02:05 PM

Lark 2012

Topanga96 · 10-29-2012, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by julian bozo

Lark 2012

Wow, she looks totally different.

Big3sCompanyFan · 10-29-2012, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topanga96

Wow, she looks totally different.

How so?? I think she looks pretty much the same. I was wondering if she gained a lot of weight since psychotropic drugs can do that but she hasn't. That's good!

10-03-2012, 03:17 PM	#1
jayman75 I Love the 80s! Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 27, 2000 Location: THE GREAT UNITED STATES Posts: 3,809	Lark Voorhies suffering from bipolar disorder Just read this on Yahoo... so sad to hear... http://tv.yahoo.com/news/%E2%80%98sa...er-mother.html Last spring, Lark Voorhies appeared on Yahoo!’s series “The Yo Show” (video available on link above) to reminisce about her days on the ’90s Saturday-morning sitcom “Saved By the Bell.” She looked drastically different from how we remembered little Lisa Turtle – her hair was dyed red and she had on heavy makeup – starting rumors of all sorts. Sparked by that appearance, People magazine conducted a series of interviews with the actress, and in their new issue they report on Lark’s “sad spiral,” which the actress’ mother attributes to mental illness. People reports that during a recent photo shoot with the 38-year-old actress, her “once-sparkling brown eyes” were “disturbingly vacant.” Lark kept a “near-constant dialogue – by turns mournful, frenetic, and angry – with unseen figures,” and struggled “to focus for even brief moments.” Although Lark denied to the magazine that she suffers from mental illness – the devout Jehovah’s Witness answered the question by saying, “Oh no. We’re alive in a major time of all-in-all prophecy” – her mother, who lives with her and was also interviewed for the story, said the former child star has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, for which she has been prescribed medication. “I care deeply about my daughter and I want her to resume her life,” her mother, Tricia, told People. However, she noted that finding the right treatment – and getting Lark’s cooperation in following through with it – has been “frustrating.” While Lark herself didn’t admit to mental illness, the actress – who had to schedule a second interview with the magazine after struggling through the first one – told People she has been in a constant battle with herself. “We met at a very powerful moment – it’s like carrying on the interview in a hurricane,” she said. She tried to explain away her abrupt, extended silences during the conversation by saying, “You caught me in moments of prayer. I have a strong spiritual sense.” She also talked about the voices in her head, but the magazine noted that she was “defiant about getting psychiatric help.” Explaining her reasoning, Lark said, “They can’t explain it. They can’t treat it. They don’t know about it.” Tricia told People that her daughter’s mental health issues stem from various traumatic incidents in her life, but she wouldn’t elaborate. “I don’t want to go there,” she said. She did say that Lark’s stalled career after “Saved by the Bell” ended in 1993 caused “a lot of stress,” and her divorce from Miguel Coleman in 2001 “caused a kind of break. … The trauma was back.” These days, Lark resides with her mother; drives, but only close to home; and has few friends. Tricia says she’s not giving up hope that her daughter will pull through, noting, "She's trying so hard. She says she's delayed, but she's going to get there."
	__________________ A fan of quality, classic television comedies and holiday specials... The Wonder Years,The Golden Girls,Burns and Allen, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Are You Being Served?, Family Guy, South Park, Designing Women, Dallas, The Facts of Life, Roseanne, Will and Grace, The Twilight Zone, Original Scooby-Doo, Murphy Brown, The Big Bang Theory... Talk to me about one of these shows, and I'm all yours...

10-08-2012, 09:43 PM	#9
PrettyinPink55 Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 11, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 24,601	I was very sad to hear this. I really hope she gets the help she needs!!!
	__________________ ♥♥♥

10-14-2012, 04:57 PM	#10
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	I wish Lark nothing but the best in her fight against bipolar disorder.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

10-26-2012, 08:30 PM	#12
Topanga96 I <3 Cory Matthews Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 25, 2012 Location: In Cory's World :) Posts: 313	This is just awful news. Lark seemed to really like a nice person. Hope she seeks treatment and gets all better.
	__________________ ~My <3 Belongs To Cory Matthews

10-29-2012, 02:05 PM	#13
julian bozo Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 30, 2001 Location: Cullman,Al,United States Posts: 1,534	Lark 2012 Attached Images

10-03-2012, 04:59 PM	#2
gidgetgrape Forever Gidget Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 20, 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 3,505	Sorry to hear this and wish her the best.

10-03-2012, 06:05 PM	#3
Big3sCompanyFan Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 16, 2003 Posts: 2,493	Whoa! I had no idea Saved By the Bell went on so long and had a whole new cast.

10-03-2012, 06:52 PM	#4
cleverfun3000 Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 18, 2008 Location: Manhattan Posts: 1,685	While I am so sorry to hear about her plight, this is a perfect example of why I do not in any way seek information about an entertainers' personal life. I prefer to enjoy the art that they created when they were at the top of their game than hear about the tragedies that befall them after the cameras stop rolling. I will remember Lark only as she was on "Saved by the Bell" and "In the House"

10-03-2012, 07:23 PM	#5
Big3sCompanyFan Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 16, 2003 Posts: 2,493	Anyone got a pic of what she looks like now with red hair or whatever?

10-19-2012, 05:42 PM	#11
Fuffer Vote Beaver For President Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 18, 2012 Location: Maryland Posts: 551	Sorry to hear this news about Lark. I wish her the best in getting treating for her Bipolar Disorder.