Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania checked himself into the hospital Thursday to receive treatment for clinical depression, according to his chief of staff. What is this disease that affects millions of people worldwide?
Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voluntarily checked himself into a hospital on Thursday “to receive treatment for clinical depression,” according to a statement by Adam Jentleson, his chief of staff.
“While John has experienced depression on and off during his life, it only became severe in recent weeks,” Jentleson wrote.
In May, during his campaign, Fetterman suffered a stroke as he faced off against Republican Mehmet Oz for the Senate seat.
“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. I’m so proud of him for asking for help and getting the care he needs,” his wife, Gisele Barreto Fetterman, tweeted.
“I think it’s fantastic that Sen. Fetterman was working with a provider that recommended he get a higher level of care, and that he was able to access services quickly,” said Kristen Carpenter, chief psychologist in the department of psychiatry and behavioral health at Ohio State University College of Medicine.
“Many patients struggle and suffer with these symptoms for a long time before seeking or getting the help they need,” she added. “At a minimum, you can have relief faster when you’re linked for care.”
Depression after a major illness such as stroke is not uncommon, according to the American Stroke Association.
“After a stroke there are biochemical changes within the brain structure which might put him more at risk for depression,” said stress management expert Dr. Cynthia Ackrill, a fellow at the American Institute of Stress.
“After you’ve had a stroke, it takes more work to do what you did before,” Ackrill added. “So you’re more tired and more stressed, and we know that chronic exposure to the cortisol that comes from stress puts you more at risk for depression.
