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CBSNews /

CBS News/ July 11, 2012, 7:29 PM

Rep. Jackson suffering from "mood disorder"

Jesse Jackson, Jr.

U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., (D-Ill.), speaks to reporters following a Democratic Caucus on August 1, 2011, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

/ Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images

(CBS News) Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., is currently being treated for a "mood disorder", his doctor's office said Thursday.

"The Congressman is receiving intensive medical treatment at a residential treatment facility for a mood disorder," a statement from his physician said. "He is responding positively to treatment and is expected to make a full recovery."

The office would not give any further information, including his doctor's name, citing privacy. 

"The name of the attending physician and treatment center will not be disclosed in order to protect his continuing privacy," the statement read.

The news comes after a growing number of his Democratic colleagues have called for the congressman to be more forthcoming about his recent weeks-long medical leave from Congress.

"The public relationship that he has as a member of Congress, I think does not shield him," Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., said.

Watch CBS News Congressional correspondent Nancy Cordes' report on "CBS This Morning" on Thursday.

"I think Congressman Jackson and his office and his family would be well-advised to advise his constituents of his health condition," House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md., told reporters Wednesday.

"His health is the number one priority," Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said. "As a public official though, there reaches a point where you have a responsibility to tell people what you're facing and how things are going."

Until Wednesday's news, the only statements on Jackson's condition were two vaguely-worded releases from his congressional office.

The first, in late June, said he was suffering from "exhaustion." But the second said his "medical condition is more serious that we thought" and that the 47-year-old congressman was receiving "extended in-patient treatment" after dealing with "certain physical and emotional ailments privately for a long period of time."

In the absence of any real information, rumors have begun to fly on Chicago talk radio, with some even speculating the congressman attempted suicide - a theory his inner circle has denied.

Rev. Jesse Jackson, the congressman's father said recently, "Rumors are flying, but we have to rely on the truth."

Like all House members, Rep. Jackson is up for re-election this year. His father says he does expect him to return to Congress and that he will give a full explanation about his condition and where he's been when he's doing better.

Rep. Jackson has been facing an investigation by the House Ethics Committee into whether he pressured a friend to raise millions for disgraced former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich in exchange for Blagojevich naming Jackson to President Obama's former Senate seat. Jackson insists he did nothing wrong and, obviously, he wasn't named to that seat. But his friend was arrested a few weeks ago on unrelated federal fraud charges.

In addition, Jackson has reportedly been under some personal strain, but whether that strain has contributed to his condition is unclear.

CBS News' Jill Jackson contributed to this report.

© 2012 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
25 Comments Add a Comment
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bjoh249 says:
Jackson Jr. and his father are both corrupt, race-baiting eggheads.
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2happy2ride says:
Mood disorder def: If he get his drugs everything's in order.

The Democratic mantra; divert, deceive & divide. Their icon has never been more appropriate.
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BluePress says:
He's probably a crack head.
I'd bet a thousand bucks on it.
That garbage certainly will give you a so called "Mood Disorder"
He also has another disorder call Democratis Moocheritist left wingerrosis.
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RealWorldNow replies:
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Haha ! ..... too funny!
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Truth_Bee_Told says:
I think all congressmen an women are just weird. Guess it makes sense though, what well adjusted person would actually want to be a Rep or Senator in this day and age?
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endurorob_5 says:
So basically they are saying it is either depression or Bipolar disorder. These can be treated but generally not cured. However I suspect what it is is an attempt to garner sympathy during this ethics invstigation.
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SmileyJackson says:
Claptrap. Just a lame attempt to create a defense when he gets indicted in the Blagojevich case.
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Bush-cheney-R-Terrorists says:
The cause of mood disorders is selfishness. When all of your thoughts revolve around your self, it is a sure path to mental illness of one sort or another. In this case, as most, it's contagious. The voters of his district may be catching a case of it from him.
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RSmith12573 replies:
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Your statement about the cause of mood disorders being selfishness is wrong. There are many causes of mood disorders. May I suggest you do a little research before you make ill-informed statements based on your own personal bias and the stigmas related to mental illnesses. Look here for starters. www.bringchange2mind.org
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realtimecoffee says:
by jumkey July 11, 2012 11:03 PM EDT
They call whatever he has a "mood disorder" because small minded, judgmental people like youself insist upon commenting on things that don't effect you and are none of your business.
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If he's voting in Congress it IS our business. If he can get well in a month or two, fine, if not then I suspect the Democrat party will quietly persuade him to step aside so they can appoint someone to take his place. It's probably one of the safest seats in the country, party wise.
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ReasonableThought replies:
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Why is no one calling this mood disorder what it is? The man had an affair with a woman who is a bikini model. He cheated on his wife and he supposedly has a drinking problem. He does not have a mood disorder, but rather he is behaving like most male Congressmen.
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smittyc says:
Mood disorder they say? Oh well these things happen, what can you do.
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tvwatcher5345 says:
don't know the son, but i don't care for the trollop father
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