Fetterman seeks treatment for depression after stroke. They can be linked, experts say

U.S. Senator John Fetterman admitted himself to a hospital outside of Washington, DC, to be treated for clinical depression on Feb. 15.

The newly elected Democratic senator from Pennsylvania has dealt with bouts of depression throughout his life, but has been suffering from severe depression in recent weeks, according to the statement from his chief of staff Adam Jentleson.

Fetterman, 53, was evaluated at Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, on Feb. 13, and a doctor recommended he receive inpatient care.

“After examining John, the doctors at Walter Reed told us that John is getting the care he needs,” the statement read in part.

The senator is also recovering from a stroke, which he experienced on the campaign trail in 2022.

Are strokes tied to depression?

Strokes, which occur when blood flow to the brain is blocked, have been linked to depression, according to medical experts.

“Depression is a common experience for stroke survivors,” according to the American Stroke Association’s website. “It’s often caused by biochemical changes in the brain. When the brain is injured, the survivor may not be able to feel positive emotions.”

The rehabilitation process can also prove more challenging for stroke survivors experiencing depression, the website adds.

One in three people who have strokes may experience depression, according to a 2021 study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine.

“One of the key factors contributing to the occurrence of post-stroke depression is the heightened state inflammation, which affects neural and systemic pathways as evidenced by various biomarkers,” researchers wrote in the study, adding therapy may help alleviate inflammation.

Patients with post-stroke depression also tend to have poorer recoveries and more prominent cognitive effects than those without depression, according to a 2020 study published in the journal General Hospital Psychiatry.

Of course, depression is not limited to survivors of strokes. About 21 million people in the United States, or roughly 8% of adults, have “had at least one major depressive episode” in their lives, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Depression, which can manifest itself in a variety of ways, can be treated with medication, psychotherapy and brain stimulation therapy, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Fetterman’s stroke recovery

Fetterman previously stated he “almost died” as a result of his stroke, which he experienced in May. His physician stated in October that he was recovering well, according to the Associated Press.

Following the stroke he also experienced issues with auditory processing, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

He was elected to the U.S. Senate after defeating Republican candidate Mehmet Oz in the November 2022 election, and previously served as Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor.

This story was originally published February 16, 2023 at 2:58 PM with the headline "Fetterman seeks treatment for depression after stroke. They can be linked, experts say."