PA Sen. John Fetterman Could Be Hospitalized For Weeks: Report

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman likely will be hospitalized for several weeks while being treated for clinical depression. An unidentified senior Fetterman aide offered that timetable to NBC News.

Fetterman, who took office in January, checked himself into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland on Wednesday. He also was hospitalized last week after becoming lightheaded at a Democratic Senate retreat.

President Joe Biden on Friday offered support to Fetterman and his family via Twitter.

Fetterman's wife, Gisele, asked people via Twitter to give the family privacy while the senator recovers.

Fetterman, 53, suffered a near-fatal stroke last year while campaigning for the Senate seat he won in November by defeating celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz.

According to the American Stroke Association, depression is a common experience for stroke survivors often triggered by biochemical changes in the brain. When the brain is injured, the survivor might not be able to feel positive emotions.

More than 90 percent of depression cases are treated on an outpatient basis, according to WebMD. Those who might benefit from a hospital stay are those at risk of hurting themselves or others; people who are unable to function; people who need observation when trying a new medication and people who need treatments that are only available at a hospital.

According to the NBC News report, doctors are trying different medications for Fetterman but need time to identify the correct dosage.