Fetterman’s staff had trouble dealing with the brain-damaged senator he knew he was

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Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) is seriously ill. His wife and staff know they still push him to break up, even though they know he has been “crippled” by “severe” depression in addition to his other health challenges since winning the November election.

Fetterman, who suffered a debilitating, life-threatening stroke last May, was hospitalized Wednesday night at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, the second time he has been hospitalized since becoming a senator last month. Fetterman’s office issued a statement saying he was being treated for clinical depression, noting that he had dealt with depression most of his life.

Fetterman had not previously publicly disclosed that he had depression, just as he had not been forthcoming about his health over the years about how damaging his heart disease or last year’s stroke had been. Fetterman now has a pacemaker and defibrillator implanted. It was recently reported that he has “severe mental health challenges” from a stroke that has taken a “psychological toll” on him.

Fetterman also did not disclose that doctors at George Washington University Hospital, where he was treated last week for a “mild headache,” advised him to seek “outpatient mental health care.” NBC reporter Dasha Barnes reported that Friday and Fetterman’s staff knew he was suffering from depression and had trouble working with him because they couldn’t tell if his silence was from the effects of the stroke or if he was “crippled” by the depression. Burns reported that staff were “relieved” he was getting help. Barnes said Fetterman and his staff were “surprised at the severity of the depression” after Fetterman won his Senate race last November, indicating that the severe depression had been known but untreated for months.

Burns also reported that a senior aide said Fetterman would be hospitalized for several weeks while doctors checked Fetterman’s medication and dosage.

Morning Joe video report cued to talk about treatment plan and staff difficulties:

Barnes tweeted some of what assistants told him:

NEW: A senior aide to Senator Fetterman tells me he will likely be in inpatient care for “a few weeks” for clinical depression.…A senior aide says it’s been hard to distinguish a stroke from depression – saying it’s sometimes hard to tell if Fetterman is “hearing you. No, or he’s crippled by his depression and social anxiety.”…a senior aide told me that both Staff and Fetterman were surprised by the acute onset of depression. The aide also said it did not compromise his ability to work going forward and that he would return to work after taking care of his mental health.”

Fetterman visited Walter Reed sometime Wednesday night. It wasn’t until mid-afternoon Thursday that his chief of staff, Adam Gentelson, tweeted that Fetterman was back in the hospital — and for a very serious matter.

Some news: Last night, Senator John Fetterman checked himself into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to receive treatment for clinical depression. Although John has experienced depression throughout his life, it has intensified in recent weeks. 1/…On Monday, John was evaluated by Dr. Brian P. Monahan, attending physician to the United States Congress. Yesterday, Dr. Monahan recommended inpatient care at Walter Reed. John agrees, and he voluntarily seeks treatment. 2/…After examining John, the doctors at Walter Reed told us that John was getting the care he needed and would soon be back to himself. 3/3″

Last week, Fetterman’s spokesman Joe Calvello issued a statement announcing that Fetterman had been released from George Washington University Hospital, saying all tests were negative but failing to mention a doctor’s referral for his depression.

“News: A few minutes ago, Senator Fetterman was released from the hospital. In addition to CT, CTA, and MRI exams that ruled out a stroke, his EEG test results came back normal, with no evidence of seizures. John looks forward to returning to the Senate on Monday.”

Fetterman was seen Monday by Dr. Brian Monahan, attending physician to the United States Congress. There was no word on this until Thursday.