# John Fetterman enters hospital for depression (2/16/2023) {Leaves 2023-04-01} **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [February 16, 2023, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-enters-hospital-for-depression-2-16-2023-leaves-2023-04-01/979909 "2023-02-16T19:36:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-enters-hospital-for-depression-2-16-2023-leaves-2023-04-01/979909/1 "2023-02-16T19:36:08Z")
Sigh. He strikes me as a decent man … with no end of health struggles. > **[Sen. John Fetterman checks into hospital for clinical depression treatment,...](https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/16/sen-john-fetterman-checks-into-hospital-for-clinical-depression-treatment-his-office-says.html)** > > Fetterman, who beat Trump-backed Republican Dr. Mehmet Oz in the midterms, suffered a stroke last year and was recently hospitalized after feeling lightheaded. > **[Senator Fetterman checked into Walter Reed Medical Center for clinical...](https://www.abc27.com/pennsylvania-politics/senator-fetterman-checked-into-walter-reed-medical-center-for-clinical-depression/)** > > WASHINGTON, D.C. (WHTM) – Pennsylvania U.S. Senator John Fetterman has checked himself into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to receive treatment for clinical depression, according to C… ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-enters-hospital-for-depression-2-16-2023-leaves-2023-04-01/979909/2 "2023-02-16T19:39:01Z")
Good for him. Mental self care is hard enough when you’re **not** being scrutinized on a national level. I hope he gets what he needs. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-enters-hospital-for-depression-2-16-2023-leaves-2023-04-01/979909/3 "2023-02-16T19:44:59Z")
I thought the exact same thing when I saw the thread title. I struggled with depression as a teen and young adult, and never sought treatment. I wish I had. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-enters-hospital-for-depression-2-16-2023-leaves-2023-04-01/979909/4 "2023-02-16T19:50:04Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > Good for him. Mental self care is hard enough when you’re **not** being scrutinized on a national level. Particularly in his case, when you look at the level of personal vitriol that was directed at him in an election against one of the joke candidates the GOP put up. That he could only get 51% of the vote despite being clearly better than Dr Fucking Oz would make anyone despair. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-enters-hospital-for-depression-2-16-2023-leaves-2023-04-01/979909/5 "2023-02-16T19:51:22Z")
It wouldn’t surprise me if the stroke triggered some things, as well. Heck, I wonder what medications he’s taken because of the stroke, and if they could play a part. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-enters-hospital-for-depression-2-16-2023-leaves-2023-04-01/979909/6 "2023-02-16T20:15:00Z")
I saw a profile of him a couple of years ago, perhaps on CBS Sunday Morning, and I thought that perhaps he could appeal to enough people across the spectrum to win the presidency. But after his stroke and now this, that seems unlikely to happen. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-enters-hospital-for-depression-2-16-2023-leaves-2023-04-01/979909/7 "2023-02-16T21:21:47Z")
TBH, I just don’t think he’s healthy enough to do his job, but he’s a heckuva lot better candidate than Dr. Oz. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2023, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-enters-hospital-for-depression-2-16-2023-leaves-2023-04-01/979909/8 "2023-02-17T01:40:21Z")
I wonder if part of the depression is seeing close up as a Senator just how thoroughly impotent government is to get much of anything done with the current GOP dysfunction and obstruction. He strikes me as someone who wants to make life better for people and he’s stuck now in a job where there’s so little scope to get anything much done. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2023, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-enters-hospital-for-depression-2-16-2023-leaves-2023-04-01/979909/9 "2023-02-17T02:03:06Z")
There is such a thing called post-stroke depression–and is very common: > **[After a stroke like the kind Sen. John Fetterman had, doctors say depression...](https://www.insider.com/john-fetterman-hospital-depression-mirrors-experience-stroke-survivors-2023-2)** > > John Fetterman checked into the hospital Wednesday for depression, months after a stroke. Doctors say it's likely the health conditions are linked. > **[Understanding Why Post-Stroke Depression May Be the Norm Rather Than the...](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8069768/)** > > Ischemic Stroke precedes depression. Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a major driver for poor recovery, negative quality of life, poor rehabilitation outcomes and poor functional ability. In this systematic review, we analysed the inflammatory basis... > **[1. Post Stroke Depression](https://www.strokebestpractices.ca/recommendations/mood-cognition-and-fatigue-following-stroke/post-stroke-depression)** > > Approximately one-third of individuals who experience stroke will exhibit symptoms of post-stroke depression. Learn more from Canadian Stroke Best Practices. > **[Post-stroke depression: frequency, risk factors, and impact on quality of...](https://ejnpn.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s41983-020-00199-8)** > > Background Post-stroke depression (PSD) has worse functional outcomes and quality of life. Despite the extensive literature on this topic, there is no agreement on the frequency or risk factors for post-stroke depression. Objectives To establish the... [https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp.2015.15030363](https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp.2015.15030363) ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2023, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-enters-hospital-for-depression-2-16-2023-leaves-2023-04-01/979909/10 "2023-02-17T02:16:33Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > There is such a thing called post-stroke depression–and is very common My best friend had a stroke a couple of years ago and I know he struggles with this. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2023, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-enters-hospital-for-depression-2-16-2023-leaves-2023-04-01/979909/11 "2023-02-17T02:34:31Z")
Depression is VERY common after a major life event, positive or negative, and that includes something like a stroke. I’ve heard that it’s almost universal after open heart surgery, and research has been ongoing as to why. Over the years, there have been many elected officials who battled substance abuse, privately or not, and you can’t say MH issues weren’t usually a component of that, mainly as self-medication. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2023, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-enters-hospital-for-depression-2-16-2023-leaves-2023-04-01/979909/12 "2023-02-17T03:40:27Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > MH issues What are “MH issues”? ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2023, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-enters-hospital-for-depression-2-16-2023-leaves-2023-04-01/979909/13 "2023-02-17T03:44:27Z")
I’m assuming Mental Health. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2023, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-enters-hospital-for-depression-2-16-2023-leaves-2023-04-01/979909/14 "2023-02-17T03:53:48Z")
I completely agree with all the compassionate and thoughtful replies above. The only thing I can add is a shudder of horror at how the right wing opposition must be feeling triumphantly vindicated - “We knew all along Fetterman wasn’t up to the job! Stupid liberals. This just goes to prove what idiots they are, we should have elected a strong, vital person like Dr. Oz, not a weak, compromised bleeding heart like Fetterman.” My heart breaks even more for Fetterman knowing that he probably is thinking that too. On a more practical level, I don’t really understand the mechanisms for replacing Fetterman, if it comes to that. Is there a special election held in which a Democrat or Republican could win? Or do Democrats get to keep the seat, finding the person of their choice to complete Fetterman’s term? ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2023, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-enters-hospital-for-depression-2-16-2023-leaves-2023-04-01/979909/15 "2023-02-17T03:57:31Z")
Thankfully, if Fetterman has to resign, the Governor of Pennsylvania, Democrat Josh Shapiro, would appoint an interim senator until a special election is held. I don’t know how long until a special election must be scheduled. But for now, at least, Democrats have control of the process. I hope Fetterman feels better soon. He worked so hard and sacrificed so much to win this election. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2023, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-enters-hospital-for-depression-2-16-2023-leaves-2023-04-01/979909/16 "2023-02-17T05:12:01Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > On a more practical level, I don’t really understand the mechanisms for replacing Fetterman, if it comes to that. There have been a number of Senators who have suffered very major health problems and the Senate doesn’t push them out. So unless he dies the decision to leave is up to him. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2023, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-enters-hospital-for-depression-2-16-2023-leaves-2023-04-01/979909/17 "2023-02-17T22:33:14Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > “We knew all along Fetterman wasn’t up to the job! Stupid liberals. This just goes to prove what idiots they are, we should have elected a strong, vital person like Dr. Oz, not a weak, compromised bleeding heart like Fetterman.” Sadly, this is the first thing I thought, too. I’m not gonna go search, but I bet there’s plenty of this out there (and probably even harsher than your made-up example). Hope you feel more like yourself soon, Senator! ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2023, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-enters-hospital-for-depression-2-16-2023-leaves-2023-04-01/979909/18 "2023-02-17T22:35:45Z")
I voted for him in the primary and general election. He always struck me as a very good man. This is further proof of the fundamental unjustness of the world we live in. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-enters-hospital-for-depression-2-16-2023-leaves-2023-04-01/979909/19 "2023-02-18T00:42:59Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Thankfully, if Fetterman has to resign, the Governor of Pennsylvania, Democrat Josh Shapiro, would appoint an interim senator until a special election is held. > > I don’t know how long until a special election must be scheduled. But for now, at least, Democrats have control of the process. The special election is held at the next general election – so November 5, 2024. > [@PastTense](#): > > There have been a number of Senators who have suffered very major health problems and the Senate doesn’t push them out. So unless he dies the decision to leave is up to him. Senator Tim Johnson suffered a major cerebral hemorrhage that left him unable to participate in Senate proceedings for nearly a year. And Senator Strom Thurmond was a shambling husk for the last several years of his Senate career. Both were accommodated. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-enters-hospital-for-depression-2-16-2023-leaves-2023-04-01/979909/20 "2023-02-18T00:47:53Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > The special election is held at the next general election – so November 5, 2024. I was hoping that was the case, just in case _he_ wants an out. Thanks for digging that information up. My personal preference is that Fetterman will take his time to heal and come back to do the job I feel sure he is more than capable of completing. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-enters-hospital-for-depression-2-16-2023-leaves-2023-04-01/979909.md?page=2)