Jesse Jackson Jr. says he is suffering from mood disorder and is receiving treatment

Whatever the hell THAT means…

Jesse Jackson Jr. Says He Is Recovering From Mood Disorder

Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) is at an undisclosed facility receiving medical treatment for a mood disorder, his aides said Wednesday after days of speculation about his whereabouts.

Citing federal medical privacy laws, Jackson’s office said late Wednesday that it would not release specific details about the congressman’s condition or location. But a statement from the office citing an unnamed physician said Jackson, 47, “is receiving intensive medical treatment at a residential treatment facility for a mood disorder. He is responding positively to treatment and is expected to make a full recovery.”

Jackson’s office disputed rumors about his condition and a report by NBC News that cited friends who said Jackson is being treated for alcohol- and addiction-related problems at a facility in Arizona.

The disclosure came on the same day that House Minority Whip Steny H. Hoyer (Md.) became the most senior House Democrat to appeal to Jackson for more information. Hoyer told reporters that Jackson and his family “would be well advised” to tell constituents about his medical condition and lengthy absence. The statement echoed sentiments expressed in recent days by Jackson’s Illinois congressional colleagues.

Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.), the state’s senior lawmaker, said Wednesday that the congressman “has a responsibility as a public official to tell us what the situation is.”

“I want him to get well. He’s got a beautiful young family and I want him to get well and be home with them,” Durbin said in an interview. “But when we accept this responsibility in public life, we have a burden to be more open about our private lives than most people.”

Others, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), said Jackson’s timeline for publicizing more about his condition should be dictated by his medical needs.

On the contrary…

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, also cited medical privacy laws as a reason Jackson didn’t need to disclose more information. He added that CBC members were “amazed” at the sustained uninformed speculation about the congressman.

“This is about a human being who’s sick. This is not a political matter, it’s a health matter,” Cleaver said. He said later that Jackson “is fine” and will “definitely” return to Congress.

This isht sounds shadier than an apple tree. We think ol’ Jesse Jr. needs some more people…

Image via WENN

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