Senator John Fetterman’s hospitalization for depression after a stroke is all too common
Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Fetterman is seeking treatment for major depression months after suffering a stroke. Here’s what’s known about the terms.
WHAT IS A BEAT?
Stroke is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, affecting nearly 800,000 Americans each year. The World Health Organization estimates that about one in four people will experience a stroke at some point in their lives.
Fetterman had the most common type of stroke, caused by clots blocking a blood vessel to the brain. The less common type is due to a ruptured or bleeding blood vessel.
Brain cells can die within minutes. There can be unilateral paralysis and problems with speech and perception, but prompt treatment with anticoagulant medication can lead to a full or partial recovery.
Fetterman, 53, suffered a massive stroke last May and went on to win a highly publicized Senate race against GOP challenger Mehmet Oz. The aftermath includes difficulty processing spoken conversation, but his doctor said his thinking ability was intact.
WHAT IS DEPRESSION?
Depression is a mood disorder that can cause intense feelings of persistent sadness, anxiety, and hopelessness. It is believed to interfere with the functioning of chemicals that carry messages between brain cells.
Depression affects approximately 16 million Americans each year, or approximately 1 in 6 adults worldwide.
Fetterman had depression prior to his stroke, and his office announced Thursday that he checked into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for treatment for his depression, which recently worsened.
Depression is usually treated with medication and psychotherapy. Studies have shown that both can help with post-stroke depression, but more research is needed to determine which antidepressants are most effective after a stroke, according to guidelines from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association.
IS THERE A LINK BETWEEN STROKE AND DEPRESSION?
Depression occurs in about 1 in 3 patients after a stroke, said Dr. Will Cronenwett, chief of psychiatry at Northwestern University’s Feinberg Medical School.
There could be a biological reason, with some evidence suggesting strokes could cause brain changes that lead to thinking difficulties that affect how people perceive the world, and which in turn could lead to depression, Cronenwett said.
Stroke can also have psychological effects, making it difficult for some people to accept that they may have new limitations. In some people, this adaptation can lead to depression.
“Depression does not have to occur immediately after a stroke; it can happen years later. But living as a stroke survivor increases your risk of depressive episodes,” Cronenwett said.
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