Doctor’s Notes Offer Closer Look at Sen. Fetterman’s Treatment Upon Release From Hospital

After being hospitalized for major depression, Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senator John Fetterman was released from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Friday. Fetterman sought treatment on February 15th and had been admitted to George Washington University Hospital a week before that due to concerns about lightheadedness, which was related to his previous stroke on the campaign trail in May 2022.

According to a statement from Fetterman’s staff, he is now back in his hometown of Braddock following his medical care in the neuropsychiatry unit led by Dr. David Williamson, the unit’s neuropsychiatry chief and medical director. Fetterman is reported to be in remission from his depression.

The Senate will be in recess for the next two weeks, providing Fetterman with time to be with his family in Pennsylvania. He will return to Washington when the Senate session resumes on April 17th.

Fetterman expressed gratitude toward the team at Walter Reed, stating that their care “changed his life” and reaffirmed that depression is treatable, and treatment can work. He called on those who need help to seek it, irrespective of political beliefs.

While many media outlets praised Fetterman for seeking help and speaking publicly about his health, his team released a doctor’s discharge briefing that detailed more information about his treatment.

Details from Doctor’s Notes

According to the briefing, Fetterman presented with severe symptoms of depression, including low energy and motivation, minimal speech, poor sleep, slowed thinking and movement, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, but no suicidal ideation when he was admitted in February. His symptoms had progressively worsened for eight weeks, causing him to stop eating and taking fluids.