• Jesse Jackson Jr. back in Washington, DC

    Mitch Dumke / Reuters file

    Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill.

    By NBC News staff and wire services

    Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., returned to Washington, D.C., Friday after nearly three months away from his job.

    "I have just learned that Congressman Jackson is at home in DC with his wife and family convalescing," his communications director, Frank Watkins, said Friday.

    Jackson, 47, suddenly left his post  June 10 and checked into an Arizona substance abuse clinic. He represents Illinois' 2nd Congressional District. About a month later he checked into the Mayo Clinic.

    See more on this story at NBCChicago.com

    Asked if Jackson would be back at work Monday, his chief of staff, Rick Bryant, told NBC News: "I hope so."

    The Mayo Clinic revealed last month that Jackson, the son of civil rights leader and former presidential candidate Jesse Jackson, was being treated for bipolar depression, a condition that affects the parts of the brain controlling emotion, thought and drive.

    Millions of people have bipolar disorder. It is marked by highs and lows of mood, and can be treated by medication and psychological counseling, according to the Mayo Clinic's website.

    It's not clear when Jackson checked out of the clinic. Doctors there would not give specifics and referred all questions to his congressional office.

    Jackson faces a reelection battle this November.

    This article includes reporting by NBCChicago.com, Reuters and NBC News' Nadine Comerford. Follow her on Twitter: @NComerfordTV

    Related: Patrick Kennedy has 'emotional' meeting with Jesse Jackson Jr.

     

  • Patrick Kennedy has 'emotional' meeting with Jesse Jackson Jr.

    Courtesy Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy

    Former Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) meets with Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., who is undergoing treatment for bipolar disorder at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.

     

    By NBC's Kelly O'Donnell

    Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL) received a special visit at the Mayo Clinic from a longtime friend and colleague on Thursday. Former Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) traveled to Minnesota to spend time with Jackson, Jr. who is undergoing treatment for bipolar disorder.

    Kennedy told NBC News their meeting was "really emotional." Kennedy said it was clear to him that Jackson has been "dealing with a deep depression" that has also affected him physically. "In the room, I could feel it," said Kennedy, referring to the depression's impact on Jackson's physical movement, demeanor and energy.

    Courtesy Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy

    Patrick Kennedy and Jesse Jackson Jr. meet at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., Aug. 16.

    During their time together, Kennedy said Jackson talked about the political pressure he has felt to either resign from Congress or not seek re-election. "He's worried about his political future," Kennedy said adding "I tried to emphasize there is a future."  Kennedy attempted to offer reassurance by telling Jackson he is an "inspiration" for "showing people this is a serious issue that should be dealt with like any other medical condition." Kennedy urged Jackson to consider that he is making clear to the public and his constituents that "he is getting treatment like he would if he had cancer and this is just as deadly."  Kennedy was referring to suicide rates for serious mental illnesses.

    Kennedy did not indicate that Jackson has made any decisions about his own political career and he did not offer any specific advice. Kennedy understands that Jackson feels the weight of the stigma often associated with mental illness. Kennedy said, "he asked about me, how did I get through this?" Kennedy has received treatment for depression and addiction at the same Minnesota facility and was able to remain in office.  Kennedy chose not to seek another House term in 2010.

    Courtesy Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy

    Jesse Jackson Jr. and Patrick Kennedy at the Mayo Clinic, Aug. 16.

    Both are sons of famous fathers who have carried that weight throughout their lives and now share a "common struggle" with depression. Kennedy and Jackson, both in their 40s, have been friends for many years.

    Kennedy says he is "confident" Jackson is making progress and deserves credit for "staying with it, "by remaining in treatment when he likely feels so much pressure "to get out." Jackson took a leave of absence from Congress June 10th.

  • Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. 'responding well' to bipolar depression treatment

    By NBC News staff

    Mitch Dumke / Reuters

    In this file photo, U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. speaks at a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington on Dec. 10, 2008. The congressman is currently on medical leave.

    Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. is "regaining his strength," following his admittance to the Mayo Clinic for bipolar disorder earlier this summer, the Rochester, Minn., facility said Monday.


    The Illinois Democrat, who has been on medical leave from his job since June 10, is being treated for Bipolar II depression, the clinic said. Jackson has been at the Mayo Clinic since July 25.

    "Congressman Jackson is responding well to the treatment," Mayo Clinic spokeswoman Traci Klein said in a statement. Jackson asked the clinic to distribute this information on his behalf, and Monday's update comes after mounting pressure to reveal the nature of his medical leave.

    The Mayo Clinic says Bipolar II disorder is a treatable condition, affecting parts of the brain that control drive, thought and emotion. This type of depression is most likely caused by a set of genetic and environmental factors.

    Jackson's wife said earlier this summer that the congressman was "completely debilitated" by depression.

    Klein said the 47-year-old congressman underwent gastric bypass surgery back in 2004, which changes how the body absorbs things like foods, liquids and medications.

    There's no timeline for Jackson's recovery, according to Jackson's father, civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson. The elder Jackson said earlier this month that his son has no plans to step down from his post.

    Jackson is currently under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for his connections to former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was convicted on corruption charges for trying to sell off Barack Obama's Senate seat after Obama was elected president. Jackson has repeatedly denied wrongdoing in the scandal and has not been charged.

    Former Rhode Island Rep. Patrick Kennedy said Monday he plans to visit Jackson on Thursday at the Mayo Clinic, The Associated Press reported. Kennedy was treated at the Mayo Clinic himself for addiction and depression in 2006 after a late-night car crash at the U.S. Capitol. He decided not to run for a ninth term in 2010 and retired from Congress last year. 

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