John Fetterman speaks about the ‘downward spiral’ of the Depression after winning the Senate race

On Friday, Freshman Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) was discharged from Walter Reed Hospital, where he was has checked in about six weeks ago to receive treatment for major clinical depression. In his first interview Speaking of his treatment, Fetterman – who is now in remission – said winning was crucial and sometimes ugly The Senate race in November triggered a “downward spiral” of depression that left him unable to get out of bed. It certainly didn’t help that conservatives – and the media in general – had one ableistic breakdown on his recovery from a stroke that can itself progress to clinical depression. He is ready to return the Senate during the week of April 17 when the session resumes after a pause.

CBS Sunday morning Presenter Jane Pauley interviewed Fetterman with Walter Reed two days before his release. Appears next to his wife, Gisele Barreto FettermannHe opened up to Pauley in the weeks that followed win the key race against Dr. Mehmet Oz and turning a seat from red to blue. “It’s like you just won the biggest, you know, race in the country. And the whole depression thing Is that objective that you might have won, but depression can absolutely convince you that you actually lost,” he said called. “And that’s exactly what happened. And that was the beginning of a downward spiral.”

Fetterman had a stroke in May 2022, and experts have determined it was depression Unfortunately together after a stroke. The senator struggled to get out of bed, didn’t eat or drink liquids, and had stopped engaging in “most of the things I love about my life.” He managed to travel to Washington, DC to be sworn in on Jan. 3, but Pauley said people close to him said he “looked miserable and lost” that day. “Yes. Well, I was definitely depressed,” he laughed.

Pauley said she understood that Fetterman was “agnostic” about the prospect of moving on. “Yeah. Well, I’ve never had any self-harm, but I was still indifferent,” he said. “If the doctor said, ‘Man, you’ve got 18 months to live,’ I’d say, ‘Yeah. Okay, well, that’s the way things work.’” A concerned doctor began making arrangements with Walter Reed, and Fetterman agreed.

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Here is a clipand the full interview is running youtube:

In an exchange interrupted in the clip above, Fetterman begins to regurgitate a bit about his fight:

Fetterman: “You know, the day I went in was my son’s birthday. And I hope his birthday will be a happy one for the rest of his life and you won’t have to remember that your father was admitted.”

Pauley: “Oh, but wait: this is where your renewal began. His birthday is a day for both of you to celebrate.”

Fetterman: Well, that’s a good point of view. I am looking forward.”

Pauley: “You seem hopeful.”

Fetterman: For the first time, yes. It’s a strange feeling for me.”

In another clip, Fetterman talks about how his eldest son at age 14 didn’t understand why he couldn’t get out of bed. He won – he should be happy, right? Gisele then noted that people who have not experienced or have not experienced depression may not get it either. “I think the outside world would look and say, ‘How is this happening?’ But depression doesn’t make sense, does it? It’s not rational.”

Fetterman shared that Walter Reed’s doctors also discovered a hearing deficit in addition to his existing sensory processing differences after a stroke. He told Pauley, “I can understand a lot of what you’re saying. But my hearing has a deficiency that makes it difficult for me to understand it 100 per cent.” He uses closed captioning devices to communicate in person and the Guardian reported he now wears them hearing aids.

Fetterman said in a opinion on his release on Friday: “I’m so happy to be home. I look forward to being the father and husband I want to be and the Senator that Pennsylvania deserves. The Pennsylvanians have always had my back, and I will always have theirs.”

He continued, “I am extremely grateful to the incredible team at Walter Reed. Your care has changed my life. I’ll have more to say about this soon, but for now I want everyone to know that depression is treatable and the treatment works. This is not about politics – right now there are people suffering from depression in red and blue districts. If you need help, please get help.”

I wish you continued health and happiness in your recovery, Senator.