Jean-Claude Van Damme--born in Flanders, Belgium as Jean Claude Camille François Van Varenberg-- first began his career as a Shotokan karate martial artist at the early age of 10. By the age of 16, he had dropped out of school so that he could concentrate on his martial arts career. After winning many championships, Van Damme decided to use his winnings to move to America. He went to L.A. with only $7,000 and the ability to only speak French and Flemish. He worked many odd jobs before starring in a low-budget film, and later, his own film. After his film was released, it became number one in the box office, and Van Damme became a star. Since then, he has worked as an actor, director, writer, model, and producer.
Later, after his fame was attained, Van Damme began using cocaine. He also had as many as four marriages within only ten years. Van Damme's career began to take a downward spiral as three of his movies in a row were unsuccessful at the box office. Van Damme checked into rehab but checked out only about a week later. Soon after this, he nearly committed suicide. Following this incident, he was legally considered to have Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder and was prescribed sodium valproate.
Bipolar disorder can be very dangerous is sometimes hard to identify, which makes it harder to cure. Because we have moments of depression, happiness, anger, etc., some people might not see Bipolar disorder as a problem, but what many don't realize is that Bipolar disorder takes those emotions to the extreme and can cause many problems mentally and physically. I do believe that bipolar disorder can be fought with a great amount of willpower, but of course, there are those that do not possess that much willpower, and they must use medication.
Links to articles of van Damme and Bipolar Disorder:
5 comments:
Did Jean Claude Van Damme overcome his disoder? You should add that in. I like your opinion on bipolar disorder. It's well explained.
I'll give you a 97.
I always heard of him but i never suspected he had a disorder. Its kind sad how he fulfilled his dreams of being a star and also doing martial arts. His disorder really did take a toll on his life. I give you a 97
Though you explained both Van Damme's history and his disease very well, I think you could have tied them in together more. For example, are bi-polar patients more at risk to do drugs? This could have been used to connect Van Damme with his disease. Overall, though, I think you did a very good job! :)
Jean-Claude Van Damme is awesome. Greatly written and extremely intriguing. You were very in depth on the disorder. I just wish you would include how he coped with the disorder.
i agree with your opinion on bipolar disorder, but i think your entry would be great if it included how he coped with the disorder and being a drug addict. also, how did it affect his career, and how is he now?
Post a Comment