Pennsylvania Senator is Being Treated for Depression
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman (D) voluntarily checked himself into a medical center on Wednesday to get help recovering from depression caused by a stroke he had last year.
The senator was hospitalized Feb. 8 for feeling lightheaded and stayed for two days while being monitored for seizures and to test out a possible stroke. He was released Friday when the doctors determined it wasn’t another stroke.
According to Fetterman’s chief of staff Adam Jentleson, Fetterman was evaluated by the Congress physician on Monday, and was recommended inpatient treatment care. The senator checked himself into Walter Reed Medical Center late Wednesday night for clinical depression treatment.
Fetterman had a stroke just before the primary election last year and recovered from it while campaigning for the general election in November. The stroke left him with auditory processing issues, which proved to be troublesome in the 2023 Senate debate against republican candidate Mehmet Oz.
Now that Fetterman is working in the Senate, his hearing issues are slightly problematic, especially during stressful situations where his hearing tends to get worse. The New York Times reports that Fetterman uses a tablet that transcribes what people are saying so he can read and respond.
The American Stroke Association said that depression after stroke is a common symptom and is “caused by biochemical changes in the brain.”
Jentleson said that Fetterman’s depression has fluctuated, but just recently “became severe.”
Alison Patton is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email axp5935@psu.edu.
