Spark News

Lark Voorhies, who rose to fame as fashionable teen Lisa Turtle in the 90's sitcom "Saved by the Bell," has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, according to her mother.

In an interview taped for Yahoo! this spring that quickly went viral, Voorhies talked about her current projects and her days playing Lisa Turtle on "Saved by the Bell." After the video hit, People magazine conducted a series of interviews with the 38-year-old, and reported that while speaking with the interviewer she would stop mid-sentence and stare off while mumbling to herself. The magazine refers to actress' recent past as a "sad spiral."

Lark's mother Tricia, who was also interviewed, told People that the actress had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a condition in which individuals alternate between mania and depression.

"There are things that have traumatized her," Tricia, 64, told People. "I care deeply about my daughter and I want her to resume her life."

The mother and daughter have shared a home in Pasadena, Calif. Lark divorced actor/producer Miguel Coleman in 2004.

Lark, however, told People that she does not have the disorder, and that her "over-loving" mother worries about her. She explained that her mumbling during the interviews was actually praying and was misinterpreted.

"I have a strong spiritual sense," she says. "You caught me in moments of pray [sic]."

Lark declined to comment on the People article when reached by ABCNews.com today. Calls placed by ABCNews.com to Tricia's residence were not answered.

Lark, who is a the Jehovah's Witness, has worked as an actress sporadically in the last few years, doing voice work in the animated series "Robot Chicken" and appearing in the independent film "Jessica's Journey."