Last Friday, Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman was discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center where he had been receiving treatment for depression, Reuters reported.
The Pennsylvania Democrat, who suffered a near-fatal stroke shortly before the primary last spring, checked himself into the hospital in mid-February for clinical depression. His doctor reported last week that Fetterman’s depression is in remission and he has returned to his home in Braddock, the senator’s office said in a statement.
According to his doctor, after his stroke, Fetterman began suffering from the symptoms of severe depression, including minimal speech, low energy, poor sleep, slowed thinking and movement, as well as feelings of guilt and worthlessness. As his condition worsened, he stopped eating or taking in fluids, causing his blood pressure to drop.
However, Fetterman’s doctor said at no point was the senator suicidal.
During his stay at Walter Reed, Fetterman’s condition improved. His sleep was restored and he began eating again, according to his doctor. The senator was also diagnosed with mild to moderate hearing loss and was fitted with hearing aids.
Since his stroke, Fetterman has suffered from ongoing problems affecting his speech and his ability to process sounds. But according to his office, during his hospital stay, Fetterman also worked with speech therapists who help him improve his speaking abilities.
Two days before he was discharged from Walter Reed, Fetterman was interviewed by “CBS Sunday Morning” host Jane Pauley where he opened up about his depression and his treatment.
Fetterman said he was eager to return home for the first time since his depression went into remission. He said he looked forward to seeing what it is like “to take it all in” and “start making up for lost time.”
The Pennsylvania Democrat told Pauley that his message is that depression is a “treatable” condition and “the treatment works.”
Fetterman is expected to return to work in the Senate on Monday, April 17.
