Fetterman checks himself into hospital for treatment with 'severe' depression, staff says
(WASHINGTON) — Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman on Wednesday checked himself into a Washington hospital “to receive treatment for clinical depression,” his chief of staff said on Thursday.
“While John has experienced depression off and on throughout his life, it only became severe in recent weeks,” Adam Jentleson said in a statement.
Jentleson said that Fetterman was evaluated on Monday by Congress’ attending physician, Dr. Brian P. Monahan, who “recommended inpatient care” at Walter Reed hospital. “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,” Jentleson said.
Fetterman, a Democrat, won his seat in the November midterms. He suffered a stroke during the campaign, which his doctors said was the result of irregular heart rhythm that led to a clot.
He recovered before the election and returned to the trail, albeit with limited appearances. After the stroke, he worked with a speech therapist and also had auditory processing issues that required the use of closed-captioning devices. “He has no work restrictions and can work full duty in public office,” his doctor said, via his campaign, in October.
Last week, he was hospitalized for several days of observation after feeling lightheaded, though his aides said testing had ruled out seizures or another stroke.
Fetterman’s wife, Gisele Barreto Fetterman, wrote on Twitter that “this is a difficult time for our family, so please respect our privacy. For us, the kids come first.” She and the senator share three children.
“Take care of yourselves. Hold your loved ones close, you are not alone,” she wrote, while praising her husband for “asking for help and getting the care he needs.”
“After what he’s been through in the past year, there’s probably no one who wanted to talk about his own health less than John,” she wrote. “I’m so proud of him.”
ABC News’ Will McDuffie, Allison Pecorin, Trish Turner and Alisa Wiersema contributed to this report.
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