The Mayo Clinic revealed in a press release today that Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) is suffering from bipolar II depression.
“Following extensive evaluation,” the clinic said, the congressman was diagnosed with the disorder and is being treated at its Rochester, Minn., facility.
“Congressman Jackson is responding well to the treatment and regaining his strength,” the Mayo Clinic said.
Bipolar II is a classification of manic-depressive disorder where the patient spends more time in the depressive cycle and has hypomanic episodes rather than full-blown mania. The clinic said his condition was “most likely caused by a complex set of genetic and environmental factors,” and noted his 2004 gastric bypass surgery as a potential trigger.
“Congressman Jackson has asked Mayo Clinic to distribute this information on his behalf. He and his family remain grateful for support and prayers offered and received on his behalf,” the clinic said, offering no time frame for another update.
Jackson took a medical leave of absence in June, citing exhaustion, and the following month Jackson’s doctor said he was being treated for a mood disorder.
Jackson’s office denied comment on today’s statement.
The whole country has that, so what’s the news?
Prognosis is guarded, for a recovery in November.
Which side of his bipolar disorder makes Jesse Jr. act like a responsible fiscal conservative?
His constituents deserve his retirement.
Although I don’t like the man, I’m sorry to hear that.
The symptoms sound like a description of someone who gets high too much.
Hope he recovers; if he can’t he should resign.
At some point, Fitzgerald’s investigation needs to be re-investigated.
If the condition is hereditary, Junior got the flipside! The old man went bats**t crazy stirring up racial enmity over pretended slights. It is good for Junior to crawl into his shell. Natures way of balancing.
Could we get the Dr. Helen post up please?
My legal practice has brought me into contact with bipolar individuals from time to time, as they get into scrapes at a higher rate than the general population. It’s an incredibly taxing condition; I feel really bad for Jesse Jackson Jr., and his family. Bipolar II puts the individual at great risk for suicide, as the depressive state goes on for so long, and is so bleak, that things can seem hopeless. The Jackson family will need to find additional reserves of patience and love to get through life from now on.
Jesse Jackson Sr. is an older man now (71). It’s heartbreaking to imagine the worry he must have for his son at this late stage of life, since he won’t be around much longer to protect and guide.
This news sucks on ice, even though it’s happening to an ideological opponent like Jesse Jackson.
Gloom, despair and agony on him. Mental illness is not the death sentence it seems to be. Psychiatry is still more of an art than a science, but to assume he must resign for mental rather than moral illness, really?
With such attitudes, maybe one is doomed to t-shirt hawking Hollywood hucksters as the only means to combat the stigma. Let’s keep the high-functioning ones in the closet, by all means.
The Bureau of Prisons has an excellent medical facility just a couple of mile east of downtown Rochester. I understand they rely on the Mayo for expert consultations.
As pleasant as #10 NC Mountain Girl‘s comment sounds, and as correct as #3 Rob Crawford‘s is; you can be almost positive that he will be re-elected in November if we have elections. His district is in Chicago, for pity’s sake.
Subotai Bahadur
or it’s a convenient “defense” to whatever the Feds and/or the Ethics Committee have on him