Fetterman checks into hospital to be treated for clinical depression

Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania checked into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Wednesday night in order to be treated for clinical depression, according to his chief of staff, Adam Jentleson.

"While John has experienced depression off and on throughout his life, it only became severe in recent weeks," Jentleson noted in a statement on Thursday. "On Monday, John was evaluated by Dr. Brian P. Monahan, the Attending Physician of the United States Congress. Yesterday, Dr. Monahan recommended inpatient care at Walter Reed. John agreed, and he is receiving treatment on a voluntary basis. After examining John, the doctors at Walter Reed told us that John is getting the care he needs, and will soon be back to himself."

Fetterman, who defeated Republican candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz during Pennsylvania's 2022 U.S. Senate race, suffered a stroke in May 2022 and had a pacemaker with a defibrillator implanted.

The Democrat went to the George Washington University Hospital last week after experiencing lightheadedness, according to a statement from Fetterman communications director Joe Calvello. In another statement last week, Calvello noted that Fetterman had been discharged from the hospital. "In addition to the CT, CTA, and MRI tests ruling out a stroke, his EEG test results came back normal, with no evidence of seizures," Calvello noted.

After suffering the stroke last year, Fetterman has been experiencing auditory processing problems and leaning on transcriptions to help him understand what people are saying to him. Time reported that a live-caption display monitor has been placed at the lawmaker's Senate chamber desk. The New York Times reported that the senator's problem is not consistent but that when it is bad, Fetterman has likened the experience to attempting to understand the voice of the teacher in the "Peanuts" cartoon — the teacher's speech in the cartoon is unintelligible.

Lawmakers issued statements expressing their support for Fetterman in response to the news that the senator is seeking treatment for depression.

"Our prayers are with Sen. John Fetterman who is hospitalized, once again, now with clinical depression. We wish him well, and that all who suffer from this debilitating condition can find strength, peace, support, and recovery," GOP Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania tweeted.

"Thinking about Senator Fetterman today. Glad he is getting the support he needs at Walter Reed. Proud he is being open about his struggle with depression and hoping it encourages others to seek help who need it. Stay strong, John. We are with you," Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff of California tweeted.

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