Sen. John Fetterman Recovering After Depression Diagnosis

Sen. John Fetterman will continue to be away from the U.S. Senate for several weeks but he is on the “path to recovery,” his spokesman said Monday.

The senator is being treated for clinical depression at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center after checking himself in on Feb. 15.

“We understand the intense interest in John’s status and especially appreciate the flood of well-wishes,” Fetterman’s communications director, Joe Calvello, said in a statement posted on Twitter. “However, as we have said, this will be a weeks-long process and while we will be sure to keep folks updated as it progresses, this is all there is to give by way of an update.”

The Pennsylvania Democrat has been struggling with the aftereffects of a stroke since last May. He has experienced depression “off and on throughout his life,” but it worsened recently.

Capitol Physician Brian Monahan recommended Fetterman’s hospitalization.

Meanwhile, Pennsylvania’s Sen. Bob Casey returned to the Senate on Monday after having surgery for prostate cancer, the Associated Press reported.

Fetterman, a Democrat, suffered his stroke during a campaign against Republican Dr. Mehmet Oz but went on to win the November election. Fetterman was sworn into his seat, part of a 51-49 majority for the Democrats, in January, the AP reported.

It is common to experience depression after a stroke. The mental health condition can be treated with medication and counseling.

Fetterman has also experienced auditory processing disorder since his stroke, managing it by using a device in meetings and conversations that transcribes words in real time, the AP reported.

More information

The American Stroke Association has more on depression and stroke.

SOURCE: Associated Press