U.S. Representative Jesse Jackson Jr., who is currently undergoing treatment for bipolar disorder, has returned to the Mayo Clinic to be re-evaluated by doctors. This is according to his father, the Reverend Jesse Jackson. So far, Jackson Sr. has not explained on exactly which day his son would be returning from the Mayo Clinic. He also didn’t specify if his son would be re-admitted to the facility.
“That has not yet been determined. It’s a re-evaluation of his status and that will then determine what should happen,” the elder Jackson told Reuters.
Jackson Jr. underwent at least six weeks of treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for his bipolar disorder in June. After he left, he kept going with his treatment at his home. Part of his treatment includes seeing two doctors daily and he is “struggling with his own desire to get back to his work, which … seems to be premature if he does not have strength to handle that challenge,” Jackson Sr. has stated.
Jackson Jr. has publicly expressed his desire to return to work; however, he’s facing an uphill battle from his medical practitioners. Jackson Jr. is still on the ballot for the November 6 election, and is expected to win regardless of his condition. It is still unclear whether Jackson Jr. is taking any medication to treat his condition. Common prescription medications used to treat bipolar disorder include Paxil and Effexor. Both of the medications have been proven to increase their risks of suicide. Both of the drugs have been linked to violent and suicidal thoughts and behavior and birth defects (PPHN, oral clefts, spina bifida) in babies born to mothers who take the drugs while pregnant. This causes many doctors to try an avoid prescribing antidepressants to patients with bipolar disorder, but the meds are still the most commonly used for the condition.
