Mayo Clinic: Jackson has Bipolar II Disorder

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.