Pennsylvania U.S. Senator John Fetterman is back in Braddock. Earlier yesterday he was discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he was treated for major depression by a team led by Dr. David Williamson, Neuropsychiatry Chief and Medical Director.
According to Dr. Williamson, Senator Fetterman’s depression is now in remission. Senator Fetterman’s entire course of treatment took place in the Neuropsychiatry unit at 7 East, a medical unit. With the Senate in recess for the next two weeks, Senator Fetterman will spend time with his family and constituents in Pennsylvania, and return to Washington, D.C. when the Senate session resumes on April 17th.
“I am so happy to be home. I’m excited to be the father and husband I want to be, and the senator Pennsylvania deserves. Pennsylvanians have always had my back, and I will always have theirs,” said Senator Fetterman. “I am extremely grateful to the incredible team at Walter Reed. The care they provided changed my life. I will have more to say about this soon, but for now I want everyone to know that depression is treatable, and treatment works. This isn’t about politics — right now there are people who are suffering with depression in red counties and blue counties. If you need help, please get help.”
On admission in February Fetterman had severe symptoms of depression with low energy and motivation, minimal speech, poor sleep, slowed thinking, slowed movement, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, but no suicidal ideation. Symptoms had progressively worsened over the preceding 8 weeks and Fetterman had stopped eating and taking fluids, causing him to develop low blood pressure potentially affecting brain circulation. He was admitted on a voluntary basis to the Neuropsychiatry Unit (7 East), which is a medical unit, on February 15, 2023.
The 7 East Team opined that he was ready to return to his family, pursue outpatient treatment, and resume work. He was discharged on March 31, 2023.