Key Points:
- Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) was diagnosed with depression and hospitalized for clinical depression.
- He was also recovering from a debilitating stroke that he had experienced last May.
- The Senator was left on his own in Washington, D.C. as his family chose to remain in their hometown, and his staff was unable to care for him properly.
Senator John Fetterman was recently admitted to George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C. after feeling lightheaded. Although tests came back negative, he was later diagnosed with depression and advised to seek treatment. This admission was the result of the Senator’s inability to take care of himself, as he was not eating or drinking enough fluids.
The Strains of a New Job and Physical Impairment
Senator Fetterman was sworn in as Senator on January 3 and has been struggling with adjusting to the new job. The recovery from his debilitating stroke has left him with physical impairments and serious mental health challenges that have made the transition to serving in the Senate extremely difficult.
The Senator’s Chief of Staff, Adam Jentleson, described the introduction to the Senate as a difficult period filled with unfamiliar duties that are taxing for someone still in recovery. The Senator has been struggling with inconsistent hearing issues that often get worse in stressful or unfamiliar situations. The stroke has also taken a psychological toll on Senator Fetterman, as he has had to come to terms with the fact that he may have set himself back permanently by not taking enough rest during the campaign.
The Need for Better Care
Senator Fetterman’s recent health scare has convinced his staff that he needs a better plan to take care of himself, both physically and emotionally. He is the only one dealing with recuperation as he enters the Senate for the first time and is living alone in a Washington apartment during the week and driving four hours home to Braddock, Pennsylvania, most weekends to see his wife and three children.
Many people, including his campaign donor doctor, have a lot to answer to for putting Senator Fetterman in this position. Despite this, his Chief of Staff, Adam Jentleson, downplayed the severity of the situation and said that Senator Fetterman would “soon be back to himself.”
The Senator’s struggles with depression and recovery from a debilitating stroke could have serious consequences for his ability to perform his duties as a Senator. The recovery process is a long and difficult one, and it is essential that Senator Fetterman receives the proper care and support to ensure a successful recovery.
In someone who has pre-existing depression, it is possible that they may be more treatment-resistant and have a history of failing medications. This puts Senator Fetterman at much greater risk and requires much more aggressive treatment. The hospital can be a safe place for those struggling with depression, as it can support them in their activities of daily living and provide faster care.
In conclusion, Senator John Fetterman’s health struggles are a reminder of the importance of providing support and care to those in need, especially those in high-pressure jobs like politicians. It is essential that he receives the proper care and support to ensure a successful recovery and enable him to perform his duties as a Senator effectively.
