In a recent interview, Senator John Fetterman opened up about his struggles with depression, detailing how it left him feeling disoriented and lost at times when walking around Washington, D.C. Fetterman recalls losing 25 pounds and experiencing incoherent thoughts while not realizing that he was depressed. It was only when he decided to check himself into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for treatment that he realized something was wrong. Despite initially pushing back against the idea of getting help, he eventually sought professional treatment for clinical depression, which he spent five weeks in the hospital undergoing.

The first-time senator also experienced a stroke on the campaign trail last year, which left him with auditory processing issues and speech difficulties. However, Fetterman maintains that he has returned to Capitol Hill, and his depression is now in remission. He is adamant about wanting to stay on as a senator and serve a full six-year term. He is currently working with his staff to determine his legislative priorities and determine how best to assist him with his auditory processing challenges.